I Samuel 8 - Israel Sinfully Demands a King

I Samuel 8

19 Yet the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, 20 so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Message: Israel Sinfully Demands a King

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: O God, my wife and I are preparing this week to go and see friends. Lord, help that time with them to be good and encouraging to us all. Keep us safe and make the times positive. If we play golf, help me to simply enjoy that time and not to be stressful. Lord, draw this couple and us closer to You through these days we have together. Give us strength as we prepare to leave. Thank you for this text and these lives of Samuel and others that lived 2500 years ago and yet there words are preserved for our understanding. 

Samuel is now older. He appoints his sons as judges: Joel and Abija. However, sons accepted bribes, they were fine with dishonest gain, and perverted justice. The elders want a different judge after Samuel, not his sons. Samuel prayed. The Lord responds that they are rejecting Him, not Samuel. They serve other gods. They abandon God. Samuel communicates to the people about the judge that is coming. 

Samuel tells them about the king coming. He will reign over them. Servants will go ahead of chariots. Commanders will be appointed. Some for military and some for farming. Daughters will be servants as well, like cooks, bakers. The best from your fields will be taken. A tenth will be given to him. He will take best servants. And will take a tenth of your flocks. But the people did not listen. 

God will give them the king they want, but it won't be for their good. Reminds me of Romans 1 when God gave the people over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity. The people do not want God so God in his sovereignty allows them to meet their own desires. 

Summary: At the end of Samuel's life, the people want a new king of their own doing. God provides a king through Samuel, not giving them what they need, but what they want. 

Promise: If we run after sin, the Lord may just allow us to fall, and much suffering will follow. 

Prayer: Lord, I need to always surrender to You and ask You, what you want in this situation. I want to be guided by your ways and seek You always. Help me in this Lord. Help me to be guided by You and trust in Your provision. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:1 - Black and White in a Grey World

Proverbs 11:1

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight. 

Message: Black and White in a Grey World

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: God, it has been interesting reading these words of Solomon, starting in chapter 10 and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Lord, I believe I see the righteous as being those that are living their lives according to Your design. I see it as those individuals you have directly called as your chosen ones. The wicked are not your called ones. And so in life there is these two different types of people. And your word clearly shows that distinction while I think in our world there is a subtle move to try and take the ways of the wicked and make them to be not so wicked but more or less good. Is the world getting more gray? Yet Lord, there remains a clear distinction. 

God, maybe these Proverbs are there to help me see that distinction and remind me that it is there. Help me to read these proverbs so I can see the person I am to be. Help me to understand what the writer meant by these words and therefore what you what me to take away from them. 

This verse now uses weights and measures to make a contrast between what is good and not good or bad or unwelcome or against you. The text uses the word abomination which is a strong word Lord to show extreme dislike, hateful or morally offensive. This abomination to the Lord that is described is a false balance in this text. Other translations state dishonest scales with the Amplified even bringing in dishonest business practices. Lord, wouldn't this be obvious that you abhor what is dishonest or false? That principle seems easy, but maybe it is hard at times to call out what exactly is dishonest or false.

Right now, the first thought that comes up for me is work and our purchasing practices. In our quest to get goods and services, there is a thirst or desire to get what we need as fast as possible without having to jump through too many hoops. And I notice often it is hard to understand what the rules are and what we are permitted to do. And so we often will try to state things in the best possible way for our purposes in order to see if they get accepted. We only change when we are told to change. In essence, because the standard is unclear, we try to see what we can do. Thus, what is false is blurry. How we define what is false is blurry. I wonder if this is how we approach life at times. Rather than staring at the black and white, I look at the gray. 

Lord, you take me back to that album by Leslie Phillips -- Black and White in Grey World. As you know, I did not at the time get into her music as the rocker female lead singer was not my thing I gravitated towards and actually sort of disdained. Leslie, later known as Sam, is now seen as a person deconstructing their faith, which is now a popular term for describing people that are taking the traditional faith and revising it or changing it or even abandoning it. But I mention it here Lord because of the title track. Those lyrics voice the idea of standing out (i.e. black/white) in a world that blends.  

This world I live in Lord not only acknowledges the blending of black/white, but accepts it, then approves it and then celebrates it. It has turned grey into a stand alone conclusion. Now, black and white is no longer the standard but the exception and often described as radical. That song starts out with these words - "No distinction, no emotion for right or wrong / They tell me any choice will do / No color contrast in their dull morality / The shades of good and bad are through." 

Jesus, you have words that are now recorded in Revelation 3:15-16 to speak about this grey person - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot...so because you are lukewarm....I will spit you out of My mouth." Ouch. Lord, those are strong words. While we venture towards lukewarm or grey, you state spitting that out. 

Lord, as I study these scriptures, I see the reminder of the opposites while I live in a world of the gray or blending. Simply identifying the black and white now is hard for I am daily being trained in only the color of grey. Help me God to stand out even if my standing out is not what people want. I want to be of your delight and so i want to be a just weight or let your truth in me be defined by You and Your definition. I will stumble Lord. I will forsake You as I have done. Forgive me for this now and in the future. Let it be glaring in my life the direction I need to go and be. As I go to church today, I thank you for that place, a place of refuge that retrains me or reminds me of your standards. I go there to get trained. And then help me to return to the arena of gray and continue to stand out. As I come across these grey moments, help me to know what is the way of standing out. Sometimes I can't see it Lord or I am blinded to it. Sometimes I don't know what is your standard. I pray for your grace to be extended to me so I can see what is the just weight. Lord, help me also to separate the sin from the sinner. I want to hate the sin, but I want to love the sinner. This is hard at times Lord. Again, I pray for your grace. Thank you Lord for calling me and taking me to this standard of living - of being. In Christ alone I pray. Amen. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 7 - Israel Puts Away Foreign Gods

I Samuel 7

Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

Message: Israel Puts Away Foreign Gods

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: The Ark of the Covenant is back in the right hands, "into the house of Abinadab." Eleazar is "to keep the ark." It was there for twenty years. The people lamented after the Lord. There is sorrow for the way in which the Ark has been handled. 

In verse 3, Samuel challenges the house of Israel with an IF..THEN statement of promise. If the people will return to the Lord and abandon the foreign gods then they will be delivered from the hand of the Philistines. And so they followed suit and did this. Samuel prayed for them at Mizpah. The people fasted, crying out their sin against the Lord. Samuel judged the sons of Israel. Samuel was God's representative of these people. 

It is interesting because he sounds like the office of the priest that is present today in the Catholic Church. And yet with the Holy Spirit as our guide, do we need this judge today? It seems we don't. The judge then made sure that the people followed correctly, redirecting people when necessary and punishing those that went wayward. He acted on the ways of God and laws of God before a people. This seems like a role that is still needed in some ways to God. People want to honor God, but are not sure and therefore go to people for answers, for help, guidance.

Coming back to the story of Israel. The Philistines heard about this gathering at Mizpah for Israel to get things right with God. The people go to Samuel and say, "Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” Basically, don't give up on us yet. 

Samuel sacrifices to the Lord and the Lord responded and confused the Philistines as they came to battle Israel. Samuel signifies this with a stone called Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Philistines were taken care of and cities were restored to Israel that had been taken. They had been delivered. Samuel had acted on behalf of the people and the people had responded as well in turning their hearts to God, away from the foreign Gods. 

"Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life." Samuel judged Israel in many places. In Ramah he built an altar to the Lord. 

Summary: Samuel leads the people to restoration from the hand of the Philistines. The people respond by putting away their foreign Gods and Samuel removes the evil, restores the good and God responds and makes a way for victory against the Philistines. 

Promise: I need to be a person who repents and turns my life, all of my life, over to God. 

Prayer: O God, free from the sin that entangles me. I give air time to it all of the time. Instead turn my heart toward you so that I am removing anything that is serving the world and its ways. Those are my foreign Gods. Thank you Holy Spirit for interceding for me and being my intermediary between God and me. Thank you for working favor in my life. Keep me humble and worshipping you always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:32 - Knowing what is right and wrong speech

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.

Message: Knowing what is right and wrong speech

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Well, it has taken me some time but I am finishing up this first chapter of Proverbs of Solomon for me, in chapter 10. It has been a good time so far and continue to see a contrast primarily between the righteous and the wicked. The writer, Solomon, clearly admonishing the righteous and showing the great results of this type of person and the unfortunate negative outcomes of the wicked. The wicked are those that are not following the precepts and ways of God. The contrast is simple. And yet it seems the world we live in is lived in the gray where the wicked are viewed often as another kind of righteous. Perhaps it is hard to view people as wicked who seem to be living good lives. 

In this verse, it is the mouth, the lips. This contrast occurred in verse 31, highlighting the mouth and tongue. Verses, 13, 20, and 21 mentions the righteous mouth, but not a contrast to the mouth of the wicked necessarily. Verse 6 highlights the mouth of the wicked whereas verse 11 focuses on the mouth of each. Clearly the mouth or our tongues is a big point of emphasis here. 

Here the words are almost a conclusion as the verse mentions "know." The righteous know what they are doing in their speaking. The wicked know what they are doing in their speaking. The righteous speaks what he knows is pleasing to God. His actions are consistent with his conscience. While the wicked has a mouth that is perverted or contrary to good and pleasing ways. 

The righteous speaks in a way that is pleasing to others. People want to be around this person. The wicked however speaks in a way that doesn't encourage a large audience. Granted, there will be people that like the wicked speech, but it won't be everyone. The wicked have a stubbornness about them. But it is almost instinctive. I have been learning how the Spirit of God takes over a person. Well, the wicked person does what is natural and that is most often protecting self. 

Prayer: O God, help me to be a person that is filled by Your Spirit and therefore my speech honors You. Direct me. Catch me in those moments when I am quick to react rather than respond. I get angry and disappointed. Lord, help my speech to honor You always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 6 - The Ark Returns to Israel

I Samuel 6

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?” - verse 20

Message: The Ark Returns to Israel

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 5 mentions the impacts of the ark remaining with the Philistines and bad things that occur because of it. They try to get rid of it to other cities but bad things continue to happen to the people in those areas. Chapter 6 begins by telling us that the ark had been with the Philistines for 7 months. The Philistines speak to the priests and diviners for their guidance as to what they should do in getting rid of the ark and sending it on its way. 

The priests give them directions, mentioning an offering that should now be done. They mention a guilt offering of five gold tumors and five gold mice. They are to prepare a cart with two milk cows on the cart, cows that have never been yoked. Their calves are to be separated from them. The gold mice would be attached as well as likenesses to the tumors. 

The priests said that if the cart goes the way of Beth-shemesh then it is a sign that the Lord God has done this evil to them. It does go that way and the people there respond with joy and they in turn do offerings as well in thankfulness to God. 

17 Now these are the gold tumors which the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron; 18 and the gold mice, corresponding to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five governors, both of fortified cities and of country villages. The large stone on which they placed the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.

But the people of Beth-shemesh were struck by the Lord. 50,070 men died for looking into the ark. And they said, "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom will He go up from us?” I think this is a question many voice at times. In a word God is holy and no one seems worthy to stand before Him and that seems true. Only Jesus was worthy. And perhaps that is the point often of the words of these books and judges and writers. God is holy. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." All are unworthy. 

It seems very possible that we as people simply do not recognize the full meaning of this - to know what it means for God to be holy and separate from us. These Israelites show me the importance of us worshipping God. They did it through sacrifices and in a way it is a sacrifice for me to set aside my ways and times to worship God. 

Summary: The Philistines turn over the ark, directed to by making a guilt offering of tumors and mice and it is received by offerings from the people as well. 

Promise: God is Holy

Prayer: O Lord, you are Holy. God, you are not to trivialized. You are to be set apart. You are to be revered. And I need to always make you number one in my life, loving you above all else. Thank you for loving me, accepting me and knowing me. You are holy and true. It is only Jesus that helps me to come to you each day. Teach me the meaning of these words continually in these scriptures and words and how I am to make them relevant to my life today. I praise you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:31 - Speak Well Inside and Out

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Message: Speak Well Inside and Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Once again, this verse starts out in familiar territory with "the righteous." The overall goal in this chapter and in this book and in probably the entire Bible is to be righteous. It is the subject that I keep coming back to, especially in this book. The person who is righteous is walking and living their lives in a manner directed by God. This is living in right relationship with God, other people, and all creation. It seems reasonable to say that everyone on this earth agrees with two of these three parts - living with other people well and creation, but not everyone subscribes to the God part. But I do. 

And so this book and these verses continue to give us quick reminders of what the righteous person is all about and also helping us see what that person is not about. Yet, these are not commands, but rather descriptions of a person. It is written as outcomes or results. Thus, you be a righteous person and this will happen. I keep seeing this. I keep seeing who I am to be and who I am not to be. 

Here in this verse, I am to be a person that has a good mouth. I struggle with my mouth, not on good days or good situations or fun times, but I struggle when I just want a laugh and so may be sarcastic and/or hurt someone in the process — or I am in a selfish moment of wanting myself to be pleased. When my focus is on me, my mouth is a problem. 

The perverted tongue can reveal what is in someone’s heart. A tongue that speaks in an unwelcome manner will be cut off or cut down. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to have a God honoring tongue and mouth. Cultivate in me a mouth that speaks well. My mom always said, "Speak less." But I notice it isn't only what comes out of me, but also what is inside of me, my self talk. Lord, I pray that this talk honors you as well. Lord, it is hard to speak words of honesty and critique. Sometimes I wonder how I am to be a person of correction. I suppose these verses are not saying that my words have to only be uplifting all of the time. And yet I know from my son that I don't need to be passive aggressive as that is a tendency with me as well, to hint at guilt when I speak. Show me the right way Spirit of God. Birth in me good words. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 5 - Yahweh Versus Dagon

I Samuel 5

But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the torso of Dagon was left. - verse 4

Message: Yahweh Versus Dagon

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: After Eli dies and Phinehas wife and new husband give birth to new son Ichabod, the text now moves back to the ark being with the Philistines. They have taken the ark to the city of Ashdod, bringing it into the house of Dagon (a god of the city). Dagon was found falling on his face before the ark of the Lord. Then the next morning Dagon was found on his face again before the ark, but this time his head and hands were cut off and only the torso remained. No one steps on the threshold to this day in Dagon's house. 

According to Tabletak devotional, "extrabiblical sources as well as biblical accounts such as 1 Samuel 17:54, ancient Near Eastern peoples frequently cut off the heads and hands of defeated foes. For Dagon to lose his head and hands in the presence of the ark of Yahweh meant that Yahweh had conquered Dagon." 

The Ashdodites were struck by the Lord with tumors. The people recognize it is not good for them to have the ark. Bad things are happening and not good that it is in the house of their god - Dagon. All the poeple were gathered together to make a decision about the ark and it was sent to the city of Gath. But the same thing occurred in Gath and tumors arrived on the people. So the Ark was sent to Ekron. But those people knew it was bad to have the ark, but still many died or got tumors and they sent the ark away. 

Don't mess with God and don't mess with the ark of God. 

Summary: The Philistines took the ark to Dagon, their god as a sort of victory but Yahweh conquers Dagon and other cities for possessing the ark of God. 

Promise: Let us take care not to mix our faith with falsehood.

Prayer: O God, you are over all. I lean on you. You are to be revered in our world. We need to be a people that take you seriously and trust you and respect you. I think of how important respect is to me and I need to be one that respects you. You want our respect and our devotion. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:30 - Never uprooted

Proverbs 10:30

The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not live in the land. 

Message: Never uprooted

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: 'Shaken' or other translations say 'uprooted,' 'disturbed,' 'removed,' or 'will stand firm.' The word 'never' is a powerful word as well. It is permanent. Our eternity is permanent. It doesn't change. The righteous are on firm footing or a firm foundation. The righteous are not going anywhere. But the wicked will not dwell in this land. They will not inhabit the earth. They are the opposite. One is firmly in place, the other is not even present. 

I like that word uprooted. The roots of the righteous are secure. They will not be removed. When I think of our position or my position in Christ, it is one where ultimately we are secure with him. And yet, I still recognize that though our permanent home is in place these temporary times often don’t look or appear to be any different from anyone else. I have trials and missteps. I have challenges. I have hardships. I experience aches and pains. There is loss at times in business. There are failed relationships.

But ultimately, forever, I am secure in Christ. As a note though, I’m not saying that the Christian life is only focused on the future because there’s definitely peace in the present as well. The Spirit is present in my life today. 

I listen to a sermon this week about not getting drunk with wine, but being filled with the spirit from Ephesians 5:18. Paul, comparing spirit filled to being filled with a strong drink and becoming drunk. And so the spirit should be filled up and working through our lives in such a way the people don’t recognize us, and instead recognize God working in us. So the Christian life is much more than just a future state. It’s a present change.

And so the wicked are uprooted. The wicked will be shaken. The wicked will be moved. The wicked have no hope in the near future. The wicked have no ultimate security. They only have the day to day. Sometimes I wonder if our lives look like that wicked-life-reality too much. Myself, I’m headed to the gym to take care of my body, to be healthy, but probably ultimately with the idea that it will help me live a more full life and possibly a longer life. 

We share constant prayer request for healing, for decreased suffering. I just wonder why we are so focused on this life and making sure is not disturbed. Are we really eternally focused? Do we just have this mindset one day of week? Am I sandwiched in the best of both worlds? 

Prayer: I don't know God. I am very thankful that you have saved me and declare me as righteous. I am blessed to be able to say that my future is settled. I only wonder if my life is too much like everyone's life and yet I am called to be different. I know I do different things but day in and day out, I wonder if I desire and want what other's want. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 4:12-22 - The Glory Departs from Israel

I Samuel 4:12-22 

And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband. - Verse 21

Message: The Glory Departs from Israel

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: In verse 12, there is a man from Benjamin (some think this might be Saul) that runs from the Israel camp (at Ebenezer) to Shiloh -- about 20 miles -- and ground that could be covered in a day. It states he had "dust on his head." Thus, he is in mourning. Eli is present. Ei is an old man now. Eli is concerned about the Ark that is his responsibility. 

The man describes the events - a big defeat, Eli's sons have died, and the ark has been stolen. Eli hears these words and falls backwards, breaking his neck and dying. It says, "he judged Israel for 40 years." 

Phinehas wife gives birth now to a son. Hearing about all of the bad things that have happened to Israel, she names the child Ichabod which means - "The glory has departed from Israel." 

The devotion here from Ligonier (Tabletalk) says, "When Scripture says that God has left His people, it means that He has taken His blessing from them, that He is no longer protecting the visible covenant people from harm." It speaks of these bad things happening to Israel the result of Israel not correctly following the Lord. I struggle with this quick prognosis every time something bad happens. It seems that God could possibly have different purposes than man. 

I mean these people trusted God and they were trying to figure out a way to follow Him - they wanted to keep the ark of the covenant close by. I mean maybe the danger is thinking that at any time we can manipulate God. And sometimes God simply has a purpose that we don't understand right now and what we need to do is submit to Him. There are so many things in life that I just don't understand. And I stare at so many people doing things that are good - trusting God, praying, leaning on Him for strength and yet bad things still happen or things happen that we don't agree with. 

Summary: Eli, after 40 years as judge, dies after hearing his sons have died, Israel has been defeated and the ark is taken by Philistines. Phinehas wife has a son, Ichabad meaning, "The Glory Departs from Israel." 

Promise: We need to always surrender to God, no matter what. And trust that His outcome is best even when we don't agree. 

Prayer: O God, I feel a need to trust You always God. And I believe that You as creator see and know things in ways that I don't understand. And that's okay. I can trust You. Always. What is important is continuing to live and continuing to walk by Your side. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are with me. That you live in me. I want you to fill me so that my life looks like You in me. You have the power to do things in me that I can't see or understand. I thank you for my life and giving me another day, another year this past year. Thank you for the gift of life up to this point. I want to keep designing things in my life my way but you are teaching me and I want to accept what you are doing and realize that it takes some figuring out. But I want to continue walking with You. Help me to navigate things. Help my kids. Be their God. Give them each hope and steadfastness with You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:29 - The Path of Righteousness

Proverbs 10:29

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright,

But ruin to the workers of iniquity. 

Message: The Path of Righteousness

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: NIV - The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless. NLT - The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity. Good News - The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers. Matthew 22:16 mentions "The way of God in truth." The Way of the Lord is strength to one, but ruin to the other. 

This Way of the Lord is religion. It is the way in which God wants people to walk. In the New Testament is even the idea that the followers of Jesus were called the Way. There is a modern church that is called the Way. God in His sovereign will has as His intent a Way for man to talk. Proverbs 14:12 is a famous verse, "There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death." This verse captures the same meaning but is even more specific to that Way being of the Lord. It is a way that is a refuge, a stronghold, a fortress. As we come to understand and know this Way it brings peace and contentment to our lives. We are no longer striving after wind (Eccl. 1:14). 

Yet, is this verse talking about the way of the Lord that I am walking or is it rather speaking of God's way that He is on. Alexander Maclaren says it is the way the Lord is on. He says this way is one continuous, connected, consistent mode of operation from beginning to end. Thus, not multiple paths at different seasons, but one unified way of operation. He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). That Romans verse is taking on the meaning more of all things together for good instead of the way I think of often and that is all groupings of things for many different groupings of good. Again, it is not ways - plural but "the Way." 

This Proverb states that Way is a stronghold for the upright. It makes for righteousness. We hold on to this promise and we need this promise because the promise does not always make sense to us. It is hard for us to understand. It is perplexing and difficult. We get bogged down in the negative modes or routes of it. We get lost. 

And this same way that is upright is in the reverse, the inverse or other way is against them that do evil. The overarching evil ways have an evil outcome for man. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). What we earn by going our own way, the opposite way is death. And this verse in Proverbs is clear in that it is ruin. At times it appears to make sense but it has no outcome. 

I think the atheist agrees there is no outcome but all we have is today. Thus, they would probably agree the way of the Lord is a ruin to them. 

Try to stop a train, and it will run over you and murder you; get into it, and it will carry you smoothly along. - Alexander Maclaren

Prayer: God, you are holy and true. Thank you for your sovereign way and I submit and surrender to You. Help me to continue to run the race and to live in a manner and way that is pleasing to You. Help me. Give me strength. Help me to make good decisions and help me going forward to honor You. Forgive me for my sins. I pray my sins will not continue to affect my children. Do good things in them. Help them to see their error and take the other road. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 4:1-11 - The Ark of the Covenant Captured

I Samuel 4:1-11

When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies." (verse 3)

Message: The Ark of the Covenant Captured

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: The Philistines and Israel are in battle at Aphek. 4,000 Israelites lost their lives on the battlefield (v. 2). The elders of Israel wonder why the Lord has allowed Israel to be defeated by the Philistines (v. 3). The respond by taking the ark of the covenant from Shiloh thinking it will help them defeat their enemies (v. 3). Hophni and Phinehas were there with the ark and the people went there to get it and bring it back (v. 4). 

Arriving back at the camp, all the people shouted when the ark arrived (v. 5). The Philistines wondered what the noise meant, but then they realized the ark had arrived (v. 6). Now the Philistines were afraid thinking God had arrived in the camp (v. 7). They spoke "Woe to us!" And they spoke as if this represented gods because multiple gods is all they knew and guessed the ark represented multiple gods (v. 8). And then the Philistines encourage one another to defeat the Hebrews lest they become slaves to them (v. 9). Interesting how the writer of this book extolls the behavior somewhat of these Philistines, helping the reader understand the victory or mindset of the Philistines. It says 30,000 foot soldiers of Israel now perished and the ark of the covenant was taken and Hophni and Phinehas died (v. 10-11).  

This is an interesting passage that does not record victory by the Israel but instead successive defeats, even after the people bring the ark into their midst. 

In verse 3, the Israelites believe that God has allowed Philistines to defeat Israel. God is sovereign meaning to me that he works all things out according to the counsel of His will. But in response to this, the people believe they can take the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. In Joshua 6, the ark is used in leading up to the battle at Jericho, but at the direction of the Lord. Here, Israel simply thinks they can grab the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. But it doesn't work out like that. 

Life is not as easy as 1-2-3 and going with the formula and all works out. And yet we try. We hate to suffer and hate when bad things happen. I was speaking to a friend who is having trouble meeting his living expenses and made the comment - "I want to know how to pray to break the hindrance to receive money." He is looking for the formula with God. He sees that God is the way but he is discouraged because he thinks he needs to simply find the way to make things work out the way he needs them to work out. Tabletalk remarks today that Israel did not have the right heart. I wonder. Could it be that no matter what we do we can't force God's hand? Could it be that we can try to do the right things but ultimately we must trust God. All I know is it is hard. We hate to struggle. My friend seems like he is on the brink of homelessness if he doesn't start making money. 

In this lesson, I learn that God is sovereign, but that sovereignty does not always mean our lives are without complication. In this passage, it mentions 34,000 Israelites that died. That's an easy number to write, but a hard idea to accept. Any loss of life is difficult to understand. 

Summary: Israelites and Philistines are in battle with the Philistines as the aggressor. The Philistines win, twice, with Israel false believing that securing the ark of the covenant will make them victorious. 

Promise: God's ways are not our ways. We cannot simply do things to earn his favor, we surrender to Him and learn to accept what He provides. 

Prayer: Father God, this passage is difficult. It is hard I suppose to see the outcome of this war and the loss of life, though the losing army are the only numbers mentioned. Lord, we are a people that hates hard times and we obviously only want good things to occur. When they don't, we think we can come up with possibly the right formula to make things work out right. Sometimes I think we do this, simply to make things work out the way we want. I suppose it is normal. This passage of scripture is interesting, for I am not sure there is a big application other than you have purposes we do not see or understand. All I can continue to do is trust in You. And thank you for the eternal home I have with You. Teach me this. I keep trusting. I keep believing. I keep praying. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:28 - Only Today

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous is gladness,

But the expectation of the wicked perishes.

Message: Only Today

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Hope - righteous - glad vs expectation - wicked - perish. First thoughts -- hope is more of a sure thing than simply an expectation. Hope has more of a certainty about it while an expectation is less certain. Yet, overall I see again the natural comparison of the righteous and wicked person in this chapter that has been so prevalent throughout the chapter. The writer is extolling and raising up over and over the outcome of being a righteous person. It is a favorable position. Over and over the idea is to not only do the right thing, but be the right sort of person. To be righteous is not only to have high morals, but it is to live according to standards and the Christian is to live their life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He directs us daily to live in a way that honors God. 

The Contemporary English Version says there is no future for the wicked. I think that is the overriding point. The wicked person only has today. The righteous person has tomorrow and the day after. The atheist only has today while those that are walking with God have hope for tomorrow. 

One thing to think about here is the wicked person's future is futile because we live under the paradigm of righteousness and Godliness. Under that worldview, there is no hope for the wicked for they only have wrath to look forward to in the future. There is no happy after life. There is only separation from God in hell. To say that it perishes means it amounts to nothing. 

God also is preparing a place for us in the future (John 14:2-3) and so this is why our future has hope.

Prayer: O God, thank you for the future and for having my future in mind. I realize in this day and age, all the messages are only about today and making today priority one. Keep me attuned to Your message and Your word Lord in focusing on tomorrow and my future. Thank you for that peace and I pray more would understand and accept the peace that You have for them.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 3:1 - 4:1 - The Lord Calls Samuel

I Samuel 3:1 - 4:1

19 Now Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and He let none of his words fail. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord.

Message: The Lord Calls Samuel

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Verse 1 seems to highlight a difference between the two sons of Eli and now Samuel. It states, "Now the boy Samuel" in contrast to the words of I Samuel 2 of his sons and "the report is not good" (2:24). The reality is those individuals who marked their lives consistently in growing up in the Lord and ministering to the Lord were rare. 

In this 2nd chapter the Lord calls Samuel and yet Samuel does not recognize the Lord. He thinks instead it is Eli. This happens 3 tunes through verse 8. Verse 7 says, "Samuel did not yet know the Lord." Then in verse 9, Eli instructs Samuel on how to answer the next time he hears the Lord. 

The Lord is speaking a word to Samuel and that word is He will curse Eli and his household. The issue was "because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he (Eli) did not rebuke them" (v.13). One problem was the sin and the other was the father not rebuking the sin. The sin needs to be called out and brought to the attention of others as not being acceptable. 

Samuel is now scared to tell Eli (v. 15), but eventually he does and Eli accepts it - "It is the Lord: let Him do what seems good to Him" (v. 19). It was not good for Eli, but he would accept it. As what is important is that it is good for the Lord. That's the crux of this. God will do what is best for Him in the moment. 

Thus:

• Samuel grew and the Lord was with him (v. 19)
• [he] let none of his words fail (v. 19)
• he was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord (v. 20)
• the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel (v. 21)
• the word of Samuel came to all Israel. (4:1)

The Lord speaks not simply alone himself, but uses people to speak through. This chapter chronicles the life of Samuel up to being a prophet. It started with his mother dedicated him to God's service and then he responded by growing up in the Lord. But even as God spoke to him, he did not hear Him as Lord. He needed instruction and Eli as a priest provided him that guidance and instruction so that next time the Lord called him, he heard. And then God asked him to do something and He replied and did it and in the process he became one God can count on. He grew to be a Prophet of the Lord and eventually one that speaks to all of the people. There is a progression here with many involved, his mother, a priest, and the Lord ultimately. 

Summary: Samuel, unlike Eli’s sons, is growing with the Lord God, as a prophet, and bringing God’s word to Israel. 

Promise: I need to take time daily to listen to God. 

Prayer: Father God, I am yours, created by You to not only live morally but to live always pleasing to You. Samuel modeled this and I pray my life now and going forward will be a life well lived according to the truth of who you are and who I am in You. I am to bring You glory. Like Eli’s sons though I am often so selfish and am only seeking what makes me feel good. I ask for strength each day, Your strength, so that I will be one that honors You. I ask this and come to You in the name of Jesus and because of Him. Amen 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:27 - A Long Life

Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. 

Message: A Long Life

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: In first reading other translations of this verse there are not many variations though some instead of fear talk of obedience or respect to the Lord. 

I noticed a very similar idea with the following verse (possibly also by Solomon): 

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

It does seem like that ungodly ways in people do result in a shorter life, but perhaps we hear of the lifestyles of those in the public eye more often and the appearance that their life is shortened. It seems those that live long lives are those that have taken care of themselves and lived simpler lives. 

Ellicott's Commentary cites those who are "shortening their lives by excessive anxieties, or the pursuit of pleasure." Whereas, Proverbs 17:22 says, "A joyful heart is good medicine." I also notice actions like stress often cause anxieties which can make problems with bowels and an upset stomach. Promiscuous lives result in the occurrence of diseases. It seems righteous living produces a peace in life perhaps that others do not experience. 

Prayer: Father, I pray I would be one that lives in a righteous manner, not only with the peace of Christ, but doing the right thing and making good choices. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 2 - Hannah's Song and Eli's Sons

I Samuel 2

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;

And He will give strength to His king,

And will exalt the horn of His anointed. - verse 10

Message: Hannah's Song and Eli's Sons

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Samuel is born with Hannah dedicating him to the Lord. Chapter 2 opens with Hannah's son, her prayer is an anthem of praise to God for the great God that He is and how He cares for his people and acts for them. He is sovereign and Lord of all. He is there for the poor and needy, "raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor" (verse 8). 

Elkanah returns home to Ramah (v. 11) while Samuel stays with Eli at Shiloh. In verses 12-18 the sons of Eli are mentioned - Hophni and Phinehas (1:3), priests to the Lord and yet "worthless men; they did not know the Lord" (v. 12). Verse 13-17 describe their unjust ways. Rather than taking the fat of the offering from the worshipper and offering it to be burned on the altar of Jehovah (Leviticus 3:3-5) as a soothing aroma before the Lord, they instead took the fat themselves (v.16) showing they "despised the offering of the Lord" (v. 17). 

Hannah is given 3 more sons in birth and two daughters (v. 21) for her comfort and enjoyment, beyond Samuel who is dedicated to the Lord. 

Meanwhile the sons of Eli mistreat the women that are there to serve at the tabernacle (v.22). There is the contrast mentioned here between the unwholesome ways of Eli's sons and Samuel "growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men" (v. 26). 

In verse 27, "a man of God came to Eli." The term “man of God” we find applied to Moses and to different prophets some forty or more times in the Books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings (Ellicott's Commentary). This signifies the way in which God intercedes and speaks to certain people and has come to this man and therefore the man is expected to pass that along to his children. God "chose them from all of the tribes of Israel (v. 28)." This man of God pronounces a judgment of sort on Eli based upon the actions and irreverence of his sons and instead of the sons, he will raise a faithful priest (v. 35). 

Summary: Hannah praises God and then there is the contrast of Eli's sons who are worthless and do not follow the Lord compared to Samuel that is dedicated to the Lord for service. 

Promise: We need to always be serious about our following of the Lord and not ever grow complacent.

Prayer: God, you are sovereign and Lord. Thank you for calling Your people. May we always be faithful in following You and honoring You with our lives. And may I return to You praise and thanksgiving for all that you have done for me. Draw people to yourself. Call people to love and honor You always. I praise Your name. Thank for you for saving me.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - March 2019

2019 looks at the history of Old Testament Israel showing that the failures and successes of the Israelites led to the coming of Jesus, the Savior who redeems us from sin and empowers us by His Spirit to bear spiritual fruit in obedience to Him. 

January 2019 (October 25, 2024 - January 23, 2025) - Joshua 1-14 - How the Lord brought Israelites into Canaan

February 2019 (January 24, 2025 - July 6, 2025) - Joshua 15 to Judges 11 - God calls his people to finish driving out the inhabitants of Canaan, but they fail. God disciplines them and saves them from destruction. 

March 2019 (July 7, 2025 - August 24, 2025) - Judges 12 to I Samuel 1 - God's people may fall into great sin, but there is always a righteous remnant. 

Judges 12 and 13 - The Birth of Samson - Jephthah conquers Ephraim. Judges Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon follow. Then Israel does evil in the sight of the Lord and the angel of the Lord announces to Manoah and his wife the birth of Samson. 

Judges 14 - Samson Breaks the Vow - Samson goes against the way of God multiple times but God consecrated him for a purpose and the Spirit of the Lord continue to come upon him to do His work. 

Judges 15 - Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines - Samson and the Philistines fight fire with fire. Eventually, Samson prevails, but only because of the Spirit of the Lord giving him the power. 

Judges 16:1-22 - Samson Defeated - Samson continues to show his problem with lust, dealing with Delilah who has a quest for money. The Lord disciplines Samson as he ends up in prison. 

Judges 16:23-31 - Samson Victorious - The Philistines ridicule Samson but Samson implores God's strength one last time and bring the temple down.

Judges 17-19 - Israel becomes Sodom - Once again people did right in their own eyes , idolatry occurred as did sodomy and murder. 

Judges 20 - At War with Benjamin - The sin of Gibeah is addressed, but at a heavy cost and a loss of many men on both sides, but mostly in the tribe of Benjamin. 

Judges 21 - Wives for Benjamin - Wives are provided for Benjamin in an unorthodox way. Without a leader, people kind of do run astray.  

Ruth 1:1-14 - Naomi and Her Daughters-In-Law - Naomi and her family go to Moab and get two wives, though all of the men then die and Naomi returns to Judah only with one wife--Ruth. 

Ruth 1:15-22 - Ruth and Naomi - Naomi returns to Bethlehem, her home and Ruth clings to her stating where she goes, Ruth will go as well. Coming back home without men feels like being afflicted by God. 

Ruth 2:1-18 - Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field - Ruth goes to glean in the field with Boaz looking on, admiring her, protecting her and blessing her. She brings back to Naomi extra gleanings provided by Boaz. 

Ruth 2:19-3:5 - Naomi Sees God's Kindness - Naomi plans a way for Boaz to hopefully see that he can fulfill the law to take Ruth for his wife. 

Ruth 3:6-18 - Ruth Asks Boaz to Redeem Her - Ruth follows threw on Naomi's advice in going to the threshing floor to pursue Boaz. He complies but wants to make sure there isn't another relative who will fulfill the close relative obligation toward Ruth. 

Ruth 4:1-12 - Boaz Redeems Elimelech’s Line - Boaz checks with the other relative about fulfilling the redeemer role. He’s not interested so Boaz marries Ruth. 

Ruth 4:13-22 - A Story of Hesed - Boaz marries Ruth and they give birth to Obed. The women of Bethlehem speak blessings on Naomi. 

Various Scriptures - The Coming of the Messiah

I Samuel 1:1-18 - A Pious Family From Ephraim - Elkanah comes to Shiloh to offer sacrifices and provides a double portion to his wife Hannah who is without children. 

I Samuel 1:19-28 - God Remembers Hannah - Samuel is born to Hannah and Elkanah and taken to Shiloh to be dedicated to the Lord.

Why Is It So Hard to Pray - Burk Parsons - It's hard to pray because humbling ourselves, getting over ourselves, and coming to the end of our stubborn and sinful selves is hard. If I thought for a second that my feeble prayers changed God's mind and His perfect will, I would stop praying altogether. And then he says, "I'm sinful." I pray because I believe in the power of God. I trust Him. And I must share with God my life, my needs, my interactions with people and their needs. Prayer is my continual surrender of my perceived control of my life over to God for His control, knowing He cares more about me and what is best for me than I do. I agree, in prayer, of His perfect will for my good and His glory.  

1 - What is Prayer - Barry J. York - Westminster Larger Catechism 178 - "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies." It is creaturely dependence in recognizing our needs and offering them to God. Our desires to God. We don't make requests on our own merits, but on the merits of Christ. To enter unto God through prayer can only be done by entering the holy places by the blood of Jesus ("In Jesus name"). And the Holy Spirit enables us to talk to the Father. The Spirit groans for us. Prayer, then, is having the Spirit's breath helping us to communicate, the Son's blood making a way, and the Father's ear attuned to our every plea. 

2 - Why Should I Pray - Douglas F. Kelly - The Trinity speaks of community and we pray because we were made likewise to commune with God. Prayer is hindered by sin. Jesus' coming restored complete man's fellowship with God, though the Lord continued to speak to us after the fall. We pray because God calls us to speak to Him. Directed by the Holy Spirit, we receive blessings. 

3 - To Whom Should I Pray - Jon D. Payne - Prayer is a principal element of worship. Biblical prayer is ordinarily addressed to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Paul mentions, "Through [Jesus] we...have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Eph. 2:18). Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven..." Jesus is our mediator, our one mediator. In Jesus we have fellowship with the Father. Apart from the Spirit, we are spiritually dead and have neither the ability nor the desire to pray (Eph. 2:1, Rom. 8:7). We can occasionally pray directly to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit for this underscores the divine personhood of the holy Trinity. 

4 - How Does the Holy Spirit Help When I Pray - Ken Jones - Romans 8:26, "The Spirt helps us...intercedes for us with groanings..." The Holy Spirit is indwelt in every believer (Rom. 8:9; Eph 1:13-14). The Spirit ministers to us, illumines our minds to comprehend God's grace in Christ. Paul contrasts the weakness of our flesh with the help of the Spirit (Rom. 7-8). Thus, the Spirit helps us in prayer, to recall who we are and comprehend the grace of the Lord to whom we're praying. 

5 - Does Prayer Change Things? - Fred Greco - We have needs and the Lord is the best and only provider for our needs ("He cares for me" - I Peter 5:7). God has given prayer as a means for us to come to Him, to trust Him, and to understand that He loves us and cares for us. God speaks to me through the Bible. I speak to Him through prayer. We pray to shape us more into the image of Christ. But God also use the prayer of His people to bring about His will. He chooses prayers of His people to initiate His deliverance of His people or them. So we pray, that the Lord will change both our circumstances and us. 

6 - Is It Better to Pray Out Loud Or Silently - Bruce P. Baugus - Jesus taught His disciples that our Father hears prayers offered silently or in secret. Jesus warns hypocrites who like to pray aloud in front of other to be seen. We should mostly pray in secret or silence, ready to pray aloud when the occasion presents itself. Praying with others often offers mutual encouragement and edification. God always hears the prayers of His people. 

7 - Do I Need to Follow a Pattern while Praying - Robert Rothwell - Jesus provided prayers by saying, "When you pray, say ..." (Luke 11:1-4), and, "Pray then like this..." (Matt. 6:9-13). We have ways to pray, but we also have a lot of various prayers in scripture, letting us know that there is variety in prayer. From these prayers, we can substitute our names in those prayers in scripture and it can help us stay focused on pray, especially when we are prone to wander when we pray. There are many resources for prayer and we do well to take advantage of any that help us pray more. 

8 - Is it necessary to end every prayer with "In Jesus Name"? - Mantle A. Nance - The Gospel of John mentions Jesus asking His disciples to pray in His name (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24). "Ask in my name." We don't have to end each prayer with "In Jesus Name" but we need to have the knowledge that our access to God is because of Jesus. Thus, by stating his name, we honor Him and we call attention to His name. There is a delight then to pray in His name. It is not a burden and shouldn't be, but a joy and privilege. 

9 - What does "Amen" mean? - Jared S. Oliphint - Amen marks the end of hymns, prayers, and even creeds. It is a word of connection of God's people - today to the past. It is a word of agreement. Saying the word directs our focus from ourselves and onto God. It seems to unite everyone in the thought and idea of the prayer. 

10 - Where and When Should I Pray - Like a marriage or any relationship, frequent conversation is necessary and needed to keep the relationship thriving. And yet need to be careful that it does not simply become a to-do list item to check off. Location or setting is not important. We need to pray where we need to pray. 

11 - How Long Should I Pray - C.N. Willborn - Questions of length and quantity over quality are often about ourselves. Paul's prayers appear to be sporadic. Length is not the most important thing. We will pray until we die. As we encounter people, events, thanksgiving, a sinner, temptation - pray. 

12 - What Posture Should I Use When I Pray? - Kevin Struyk - Any posture is good, what matters most is the condition of our heart - broken, contrite, humble, and dependent. Postures mentioned in the Bible include kneeling to pray alone, kneeling to pray with others. Kneeling is bent over, limiting distractions, showing honor. David sits before the Lord in prayer. Solomon stands and extends his hands in prayer. Paul exhorts Timothy and others to lift holy hands. Pray at all times means we will be in many different positions. 

13 - Does It Help If Others Pray for Things With Me - Thomas Brewer - Why do we have multiple people? Praying for the same thing? Perhaps we think that God will be more likely to do something. But that implies that we can conform. God’s will to ours. But God does what he pleases and prayers about making his will, or will, rather than making our will his. It’s God‘s will that we pray for one another and at all times. This is the way he is set things up. How many more people pray won’t increase the chance of altering gods will but God does choose to listen to an act, according to the prayers of his people when they pray together, according to his will and in his spirit. 

14 - Are the Prayers of Some People More Effective - Kevin D. Gardner - As we progress in sanctification our prayers become more and more aligned with the will and the heart of God. God is more and more inclined to grant what we desire, because what we desire will be what he desires.

15 - Does My Sin Hinder My Prayers? - David E. Briones - James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." We will not get what we ask for if our motives are ungodly. Jesus modeled prayer for us and we look at those words of His prayer to help guide us in how we pray. He said, "Your kingdom come, your will be done." Thus, we pray to desire God's gifts in order to glorify and enjoy Him, now and forever. God is not a divine ATM where you insert a card, request a certain amount of cash, and take out what you want. God knows precisely what we need and what we do not need. We need to echo Jesus' prayer, "Not my will, but yours, be done." Sin can hinder our prayers but it's not always true that a hindered prayer means sin is present. A no from God is an answer to prayer. We should always work to trust God that he has our best interests in view. 

16 - Can I Pray Imprecatory Prayers? - John W. Tweeddale - Imprecatory is a prayer of lament and echoes ideas and prayers in scripture and our prayers are rooted in scripture. These prayers express the hurt and outrage that the people of God have at times in a world desecrated by sin. Thus, we can pray that God will punish the wicked, judge wicked leaders, dislike those that preach another gospel, thus we lift our voices to God, not our swords or words towards others of vengeance or payback. We let God do our fighting. 

17 - What If I Don't Feel Like Praying? - Adriel Sanchez - Most people don't think they pray enough. Often one reason is we don't feel like it. Sometimes we think it won't make a difference. We go to pray as a last resort. Faith gives birth to prayer. This is how we commune with God. Our flesh is weak. As we read scripture, hear messages at church, we are often ignited to pray. Other times, I take my eyes off of God and get surrounded by other things in my life and prayer gives way. Thus, I need to discipline myself to pray, even if I don't feel like it. Keep doing it. Don't quit. 

18 - How Can I Pray for Non-Christians? - Michael Lawrence - We have non-Christians that ask for prayer at times in our lives, we are torn. Proverbs 15:29 says, "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous." We should gladly pray for good things to happen to our non-Christian friends. All are good gifts from God, whether people recognize them as coming from God or not. Perhaps an answer to prayer will help people come to saving knowledge. God knows how to turn sinners to Himself. Our responsibility is to keep loving our neighbors. 

19 - How Can I Pray for My Spouse? - Joe Holland - The two most important relationships in our lives - our covenant with God and our covenant with our spouse. Lord, my pride can skew my prayers for Pamela. Lord, forgive me for being too focused on what I want her to change in herself. Lord, I pray that I would love Pamela unconditionally and be an encouragement to her to walk in holiness all the days of her life. Change me Lord. May Pamela grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, that repentance and deep joy in the gospel would be present in her life. Give her an increasing knowledge of You Jesus, helping her study her Bible, listen to Godly women and men speak and reveal more truths to her about our great Savior. Help her as a woman to be safe and minister to people around her. Lord, keep her strong. Heal her foot and help her to manage her health well. Help me to care for her always. Thank you for the privilege of speaking these requests to you. 

20 - How Can I Pray for My Children? - Burk Parsons

21 - How Can I Pray for My Church? - Aaron L. Garriott

22 - Does God Hear Non-Christians When They Pray? - Keith A. Mathison

23 - How Can I Pray for Those who Are Ill and Dying? - Kelly M. Karic

24 - How Can I Pray for the World? - Daniel Timmer

A Strange Genealogy 

After We Fail

Coping With Anxiety

A Prison for Our Souls

Truth in a World of Lies

Gripped by Glory

Aspects of the Lord's Supper

Boldness and Clarity as a Light to the World

The Loneliness Epidemic 

Proverbs 10:26 - Lazy Messenger

Proverbs 10:26

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.

Message: Lazy Messenger

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: These Proverbs mostly explain the problem with being wicked and the advantage of being righteous. Most lead with a "not-to-do" followed by a "to-do." That contrast is fundamental to most of these proverbs, but I’ve noticed in chapter 10 the author deviates from that method at times. Verse 22 spoke about blessings from God. And now, here in verse 26 is an outcry to the lazy person.

Vinegar to the teeth and smoke in the eyes as mentioned. I think of both of these as being an irritant. And as an irritant, it makes life uncomfortable in that moment to where nothing else works, or can't function easily because of that disturbance. 

And this is spoken of a person who has been sent or is on a mission or is a messenger and that person is lazy. In other words, this is a person that has a job to do, has a task that has been assigned to them and rather than being efficient or proficient in doing that task, instead, they are not doing it which means they are now being called lazy. 

In my mind, this is something I struggle with. Assignments are given to me or tasks and I do some task quickly and some tasks are not done quickly. I put them off and then I find myself even at times wasting time or doing things that are not really important or even not that important at that moment based upon the task that has been given to me. I need to be doing the best I can but instead, I’m finding excuses to not do those things that are important. 

And so yes, most definitely, this person is an irritant. This person has potential and could do the task, but they are choosing to do other things. 

As a manager, I’ve seen this in employees, and it can be at times a hard thing to address. Rather than being blunt and saying they are lazy, often I dance around it by speaking gentler admonitions, but the idea is the same.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this verse. It hits me hard. I am quick to judge others rather than staring at myself, realizing that I too struggle with this. Forgive me Lord for pointing this out and not looking back at myself. Help me to change Lord and help others as well. I want to improve. Praise you God. Amen. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 1:19-28 - God Remembers Hannah

I Samuel 1:19-28

Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord.”

Message: God Remembers Hannah

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: In the last lesson, Elkanah is introduced along with his two wives, one has children and one does not. That one is Hannah. She asks the Lord to remember her. Tabletalk states, "When Scripture says that the Lord remembers something, it means that He is acting according to His covenant promises or intervening to rescue those who are suffering or downcast." Scripture uses the word I think 'remember' because these are words and feelings of the people. The reverse word 'forgotten' is even mentioned in Psalm 10:11, "God has forgotten; He has hidden His face." These are feelings that we as people have, but the reality is God does not remember or forget, but we describe him as such based upon our feelings. 

Verse 19, "Then they got up early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her."

So they leave Shiloh and head back to Ramah. After husband and wife has sexual relations, Hannah is pregnant. Samuel is born. After he is weaned, Hannah takes Samuel to the sacrifice (in Shiloh) and dedicates him to the Lord. He will remain in Shiloh to be trained properly. 

Summary: Samuel is born to Hannah and Elkanah and taken to Shiloh to be dedicated to the Lord.

Promise: Even when we think God is absent, He is working always for our good and for His glory. 

Prayer: Father God, as I remember the words of the song - God is always working, and you are indeed always at work Lord. Thank you for always being present. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:25 - When the Going Gets Tough

Proverbs 10:25

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Message: When the Going Gets Tough

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: NASB - When the whirlwind passes; NLT - when the storms of life come.  

This is the idea that when the going gets tough, hopefully the tough get going, meaning they step up to work through the challenge. Or they have enough of a solid foundation to handle the difficult situation. As has been done through many verses of this chapter, the comparison is between the wicked and the righteous. 

This reminds me that the comparisons that occur here are based upon how a person is wired - are they wicked or righteous. Thus, the proverb shares often the result and so is encouraging a framework. To which we look at again at what makes a person wicked versus what makes a person righteous. 

And here the righteous person is one with a sure foundation. Their foundation is living their life according to standards. 

I spend time daily in the Word, reading the Bible, gleaning from it, learning from it. I memorize scripture. I am encouraged by those of similar faith I am with. I listen to positive music. All of these inputs into my life are hopefully helping my outputs. Right now, for instance, I feel like I am going through a tough period of my life. My mood is different. It is a little down. I am staring at life and maybe feel a detour taking place or not handling things like I have in the past. And so right now, "the going gets tough." And how I am responding? At times, it feels like I am kicking and screaming. But I need to rest more on my foundation. 

And that foundation is good counsel. And might result in having difficult conversations with people in my life. That's what I am thinking about right, making sure I am having conversations with the people that matter most in my life. 

I don't need to look like I respond like a wicked person. I need to show that I am responding based upon my good training. 

Prayer: O God, life is hard. It continues this way. I know it is harder it feels like for so many others, and yet I have my mood challenges. Help me rest in the foundations I have - in Christ, with a great wife, great friends and good inputs into my life You make happen. And yet those foundations don't always mean all works out smoothly. Things may still be hard and tough. God I can trust you through those moments. Help me to persevere and endure. I give you praise. In Jesus name I can pray. Amen. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 1:1-18 - A Pious Family From Ephraim

I Samuel 1:1-18

Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your request that you have asked of Him.”

Message: A Pious Family from Ephraim

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: In verse, this book introduces Elkanah, an Ephraimite. He has two wives - Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah has children but Hannah is barren. 

Sort of a surprise that Hophni and Phinehas are priests. Eli is mentioned as the high priest and his two sons - Hophni and Phinehas, were not outstanding choices for priests. 2:12 says they are "worthless men; they did not know the Lord." 

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers -- Verse 3 says, "Unto the Lord of hosts." —This is the first time in the Old Testament Book that we find the well-known appellation of the Eternal “Jehovah Sabaoth,” Lord of hosts. It is computed that this title of God occurs 260 times in the Old Testament, but it is not found in any of the books written or compiled before this time. In the New Testament it is only once used (see James 5:4).

They are present in Shiloh. This is where the tabernacle was set up and so where the sacrifices occurred. 

Elkanah would give portions of his thank offerings to his children, but Hannah received a double portion. That seems to have stirred up anger and resentment for Elkanah's other wife Peninnah and she took it out on Hannah. 

In Hannah's distress, she prays to the Lord (v. 10). Then she vows to the Lord that if provided a child a razor will not meet his head (v. 11). Eli thought the girl was drunk but she was simply praying in silence. Eventually, Eli asks the Lord to honor Hannah's request (v. 18). 

Summary: Elkanah comes to Shiloh to offer sacrifices and provides a double portion to his wife Hannah who is without children. 

Promise: Let us seek God’s face this day and ask Him to help us live as lights in this spiritually darkened world.

Prayer: O Father God, you are the great provider. You work in lives and help people to remain with you through good times and even not so good times. Once again, you do surprising things through those that don't have immediate favor as you seem to be doing something in Hannah's life. This reminds and encourages me and others that God you bestow your grace and favor on all walks of life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:24 - Fear of Being Found Out

Proverbs 10:24

What the wicked fears will come upon him,

and the desire of the righteous will be granted. 

Message: Fear of Being Found Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: As I read through and study these Proverbs one by one, it is amazing the writer had the need to repeat some of these ideas over and over and yet in only slightly different ways. Each one with a slight variation. The contrast here once again is the wicked and the righteous and the differing outcomes of the two. I suppose in life or at least theater it seems there is this big contrast of good and evil, bad guys and good guys. We went to see Superman recently and his big nemesis is Lex Luthor. Lex wants to be in power and what is interesting is the way he appears to be a good guy by many, but eventually people discover the real truth of him. There was this slight deception and once it comes out everyone sees him for the rotten person he is really. And so this contrast continues - wicked and righteous. 

The wicked person here has fears. The wicked person does have a conscience and so even though they are acting wickedly there is a concern possibly of being found out or exposed for what really lies at the heart of the person. The wicked person hopes that no one will notice. The wicked hope that they can get away with it, that they won't be found out. And often the wicked will also seeks to find as many people that will corroborate what they are doing, to help justify their deceit. We do this with sin. We run to it and yet we are nervous of being exposed. I see this on a small scale at work. At times, I will go to the internet to search for something personal during work ours. I will think it is harmless, and yet it amazes me how when someone comes in the office to ask me a question, I will try to cover up that I am doing something personal. I will feel bad at that which I am doing. I will have been found it. 

The righteous person here seeks the will of God. The verse in Matthew 7:7-8 that many people like to claim is "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." It is the righteous though that can claim this verse. And this verse is speaking more of the bare necessities of life rather than simply desiring things that may be against the will of God. 

Prayer: O God, guard me from my sin and how I often escape in that direction, pleasing my eye or my momentary need and yet knowing that I could be exposed. Keep me far from the evil. Help me instead to submit and surrender to You and accept what You provide. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Various Scriptures - The Coming of the Messiah

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.

Message: The Messiah in History

What the Lord is Saying: One of the attacks we receive as Christians is in questioning the authority of Scripture. Often stating it is no more reliable than works of ancient mythology. As we compare, the Bible sets the events it describes in real space and real time, set in the events of world history. Its veracity depends on the events in which it describes as being true, namely that Christ raised from the dead. God stands over all of history, having decreed all that takes place according to the counsel of His will. 

Prayer: God you are sovereign over all and you weave your history through our lives, in the past, present and future. You orchestrate events and you order this world. I surrender to you. 

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Isaiah 9:1-7

1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 

2 The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.

3 You will multiply the nation,

You will increase their joy;

They will rejoice in Your presence

As with the joy of harvest,

As people rejoice when they divide the spoils.

4 For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,

The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

5 For every boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle,

And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.

Message: The Messiah in Prophecy

What the Lord is Saying: Prophecy and specially prophecy of the coming Messiah using language to fit one era while predicting events in another. Isaiah 9 predicts the coming child during the reign of King Hezekiah (end of 8th c, beginning of 7th). This prophecy started as David, but looked forward to a day when a king like David would rule over God's people. In Isaiah this king would possess unparalleled wisdom. He would not need advisers or counselors. He would be the Prince of Peace. He would maintain permanent peace between God and the king's loyal subjects. He would be Mighty God, Everlasting Father. 

Prayer: Father, you promised a Messiah and a Messiah came and now rules over us for all of history. Thank you for your perfect plan. 

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Micah 5:2

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.

His times of coming forth are from long ago,

From the days of eternity.

Message: Bethlehem Ephrathah

What the Lord is Saying: Here is prophecy of the promised ruler of history being born in one of the humbliest of towns. Spoken during the 8th c BC. Here in history the people were favoring the rich and ignoring the poor. David was also born in Bethlehem. 

Prayer: God thank you for redeeming me, people from all walks of life, but you continue to show in scripture, taking imperfect situations and people and making them great and this is an encouragement for us all because we are all imperfect. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.