I Samuel 14:24-46 - Saul's Growing Alienation

I Samuel 14:24-46

But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? For from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die. (verse 45)

Message: Saul's Growing Alienation

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 first part of Chapter 14, rather than Saul doing what he was tasked to do, defeat the Philistines, his son Jonathan instead initiated the defeat. Saul eventually joined in, but there was nothing in his joining that spoke to the Lord doing it. Meanwhile Jonathan went forward mentioning the need for the Lord to work for them. 

In verse 24, Saul makes mention that all men are cursed if they eat before evening and before he has the opportunity to avenge himself, until he can inflict harm himself. They came upon honey but no one ate of it, out of fear of the oath. But Jonathan didn't hear and took the honeycomb. The people saw and warned him. 

The people wanted to eat as they were obviously hungry because of the command Saul had given to not eat until he could get his way. So they took the spoil (oxen, sheep, calves) and ate it oil, even the blood. But Saul stepped in and told them to not sin against the Lord by eating blood. The people did as he asked. "And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord (verse 35)."

Then Saul wanted more of the Philistines and sought to "go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light." But the priest (Ahiah) said, "Let us draw near to God." Let us first seek the Lord. He had just built an altar and then he starts to go off on his own without consulting the Lord. The good news is in verse 37 he inquires of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines?" He has learned. "But He did not answer." Thus, Saul believes a sin has been committed. If there is something impeding the opportunity, then a sin must be occurring. Interesting. Pray and no answer then it must be sin. Or maybe it could be sin. 

Thus, they investigate. It is revealed that because of Jonathan having the honey that Saul is ready to kill even his own son, though he did not know about the oath. Saul is shown again here to be rash. Saul adds to the oaths and then puts himself against his son for the people to decide. 

Saul couldn't see his own sin. Rather than looking inward to himself, he guessed the sin was outside of him. Saul had a vengeance about him. He did things in a rash way. Even when he consulted the Lord, he was unwilling to see the log in his own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). Saul did not live a consistent life of following the Lord. 

Summary: Saul goes back and forth between his own way and seeking the Lord. He has to be reminded to speak to the Lord prior to making a decision. His decisions cause trouble among many. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "When we find ourselves in difficult situations, we should take stock of our circumstances and search our hearts. Not all trouble is due to our personal sin, but much of it can be."

Prayer: O Lord, your ways are right and true and I need to lean on You every step of every day. As I engage in conversations with people, direct me. Search my heart Lord. If there be anyway in me that is not glorifying and pleasing to You, let me see it, take stock of it, and seek to change. Help me O Lord. Help me to walk in Your ways. Deliver people over to You so that they see their sin. Keep me strong against the schemes of the devil and those that thwart your Ways.  

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

Joshua 4 - Memorial Stones

Joshua 4

23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.

Message: Memorial Stones

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Ch. 4 - In the last chapter God provides a miracle of sorts, doing something only he can do, stilling the water of the Jordan as Israel is moving from it to the other side on their way to the promised land of Canaan. The Ark of the Covenant preceded the people and the stilling of the water occurred when a man from each of the 12 tribes of Israel stood in the water. 

Ch. 5 - Take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan and lay down at the place where you are lodging. Joshua called the 12 men from the tribes. The 12 stones will represent a memorial to the sons of Israel forever - signifying the work that God has done in taking the people through the Jordan. They camped at Gilgal. 

The stones are a memorial and setup to signify that the Lord has provided. His presence was with the people the entire time. This is an event that occurred 3600 years ago. We need these signs to remind us of God's mighty acts. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are often signs as well of what God has done in our lives. We need to keep doing these reminders. 

Summary: The Lord asks Joshua to have 12 stones brought from the Jordan to Gilgal for a memorial of God providing his people the means to cross the Jordan. 

Promise: God has done great things in the past for His people and this encourages us to things he will do today for us. 

Prayer: Lord, I need to remember better the things you have done in my life. I am thankful for your hand of providence. Thank you for your great love and providing peace that surpasses all understanding. You are a great God and have done great things and you will continue to do great things. 

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

Exodus 12 - The Lord's Supper as Remembrance

Exodus 12 - 7 Moreover they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it...11d you shall eat it in haste--it is the Lord's Passover...13b and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt...14 Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. 

Message: The Lord's Supper as Remembrance

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas.

What the Lord is Saying: John Calvin said, "The new covenant does not destroy the old in substance, but only in form." In today's lesson, we remember the Passover and we also see how the Lord's Supper is linked to it. We previously saw with the sacrament of baptism a link between it and circumcision. Thus, these sacraments differ in their administration, but their substance is the same. Baptism, like circumcision, points to regeneration while the Lord's Supper, like the Passover, points to redemption. 

As I have stated before and believe--God's redemption of His people does not change throughout history. One of the reasons I reject the claim that many today make that baptism is needed for salvation is I don't agree that salvation changes. The Bible has always pointed or looked forward to Jesus and His sacrifice. John 8:56 is an interesting verse by Jesus in which He says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." Jesus even follows this up by saying, "Before Abraham was born, I am." Whoa! Jesus here is engaging with people about the relationship between Himself, God and Abraham, showing that He was promised by Abraham. And Abraham saw the future. And now today, as we live past Bible times, we look back to Jesus and His sacrifice. 

Before Christ and His final atonement there was the sacrifice of animals offering done to atone for sin. It was regular but through blood--sin was covered. In Christ, the perfect sacrifice, atonement is permanent, once for all (Hebrews 7:27). And Hebrews also records 10:18, "Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin." Jesus has forgiven sin once and for all. 

The text today refers to the old testament sacrament of atonement and redemption. The blood from an animal - a lamb - was placed on doorposts to signify that those within those walls would not receive judgement for their sin. God judged those in the land of Egypt, as Pharoah led these people to reject God. Blood in essence forgave people of their sin. I think this is important because sin was similar or the same in these people. But one was saved and the other not. This is also a sobering truth. For God does not save all. Some will reject Him and some will turn from God and His ways. All of the onus is  on God for what is occurring - saving some, not saving others. God is choosing. People may not like this. They make it think it unfair. So I think what man does then is set up a system of religion that is instead based upon the faithfulness or good deeds of a person. At least that is my thinking. Man has this desire to put the credit on himself. We like that plan. Our world works in this manner so we want things with God to work the same way. 

And yet does our world work this way? I often wonder why some people have good paying jobs while others do not. I mean God has granted me with gifts and I have utilized them and grown through the ranks to achieve what I have, getting paid in the process. I look at people that play sports or sing songs and the world pays them in huge riches. We are all different, each with different gifts. Not all of us can rise to this level so isn't all of life lived in God's sovereignty. Is He not in control of everything? And yet each person still has accountability to their lives. I think of people dealing drugs, trafficking women, abusing innocent people -- are these people under God's control as well. I've been reading Jeremiah and God uses Babylon as His instrument to judge others. Horrible things occur to nations. I'm sure somewhat innocent people are saved while others are redeemed. 

But again for this lesson, in reviewing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Sacraments, as I have seen are about remembrance of an event already that has occurred. The Passover was celebrated to remember God redeeming His people. The Lord's Supper therefore also is now celebrated, after Jesus paid for sin, forgiven sin, to remember that He has redeemed us. It was instituted prior to Him fully redeeming us. And yet for us now, we practice it after Jesus has fully redeemed us. 

Summary: The Passover remembered God saving the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord's Supper remembers Jesus saving us all from eternal damnation because of our great rebellion to God. 

Promise: As we take the supper, let us remember that because Christ paid the price for us, we owe Him everything that we are. 

Prayer: O God, you are great. You are powerful. You are in charge. You have redeemed mankind and redeemed me. You have placed your Spirit in me so that I will know and worship You and make you known throughout this world, living as your vessel to encourage others in the same way. You have chosen me for this time. Each day is a gift from You. Each moment. I look at my wife and am amazed at the gift you have given to me in her. The joy of being with her. And thankful also for people you have placed in my life. Everyday is a celebration of your providence. Lord, you gave us the Lord's Supper a gift to come together and celebrate your great love for us in redeeming us not simply for a moment but for an eternity. Lord, would you help that observance time for me to be a sweet joy and a sweet time of remembering. Plant in that time I take the cup and the bread the realization that without You I am nothing. Lord, I think you know I seem to struggle with that time. I know it is needed and I want to do it, but often I miss or don't feel its connection or treat it as a celebration. Maybe I am a person that struggles with those type of events and yet simply enjoy the moment my moment of living with You as my Savior and Redeemer. I am not sure, but I do thank you for this time to spend in Your word and reflect on You and what You have done for me. I still don't know why I am so blessed. 

Romans 3:21-22a - Faithful Through The Ages

Romans 3:21-22a - But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe.

Message: Faithful Through The Ages

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

As the title of this devotion declares, God has been faithful through the ages. The idea here is that throughout history God has called people to Himself and throughout history there has been one people called. As RC Sproul spoke about in his first message, My Faithful God from the series Living By Faith, we do not come to faith in God like we are leaping into something with no evidence. I have always been marveled at how the Mormons when they have shared with me focused so much on a feeling and they shared this verse from Moroni 10:3-4 telling me to ask God if it is not true and if you are sincere, then you will told it is true. But God shows us that our faith is not based on a feeling or no evidence (in fact, most of the evidence for LDS belief is very questionable). 

We have evidences in the natural world. One of my favorite passages is Romans 1:18-32 which shows how the world in which we live, the creation is constantly testifying of God. We can't look at all of this beauty without wondering how it came about. 

And we have a God in history that has shown mercy continually to His people. In my study of Genesis this past year with Bible Study Fellowship I have seen this. I have seen continually how God interceded on behalf of his people, giving them promises of blessing their descendants and it coming to pass. He shows His divine favor continually. He has shown me mercy. I shared at BSF about the hopelessness I felt early on in our marriage and finding little worth in my life for providing for my family and yet, He was with me and has carried me through this to where I am today.

We have evidences in the Bible of a chosen people. Throughout scripture He chooses the people of Israel, and then gives them many reminders of this through the Law and Commandments. We can see God's faithfulness in this and Paul reminds us of this continually in his letters that we are chosen by God. There are differences in people obviously throughout history, but it is clear that God has chosen people, not everyone. But, He has chosen certain ones. Often it is not by the way of the birth order but simply out of His great grace. God is faithful forevermore. 

And in today's passage is another example of how God chose us apart from our works. What a comfort to know that God isn't waiting for my righteousness. This is the way of the world. We do good continually to receive rewards, but with God, He chooses us and His righteousness is manifested apart from our doing of His Law.  But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested ...through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe. I can became righteous by faith. If my obedience merits Him, I get some or all of the glory, but if the righteousness of God is given to me simply by faith, then God is glorified. 

God did something new in the New Testament through Jesus. And yet God has been faithful in every age to His people: through a new Prophet (Deut. 18:15), a new Priest (Isa. 53), or a new King (Ezek. 37:24). It is actually easy to know Him and His purposes. He is faithful through the ages. 

Promise: God is faithful and this is why I study His Word, to understand His promises and what He has done, can do in my life and will do. I abandon my life to Him, not to receive gifts, but to receive Him and the prize of eternal life with Him. 

Prayer: O God, you are faithful. I praise you and glorify you for saving me. You showed me faith clearly. Thank you for not staring at my achievements and waiting for my faithfulness. In Christ as I abandon and surrender my life to You, You show yourself to me and to others. Thank you for the evidence of You and the presence of You in life. You have affected me and provided for me. You have given me a peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for choosing me. 

Question: What sort of evidence do you see in your life of God providing or rescuing you? 

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 - To Study or Not to Study

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12
11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

Message: To Study or Not to Study

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is Solomon. The book was likely written towards the end of Solomon's reign, approximately 935 B.C. It is a book of perspective whereby the speaker reveals the depression that inevitably results from seeking happiness in worldly things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning. He accepts that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God and advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.

What the Lord is Saying:

Words of the Wise
This passage comes near the close of the book of Ecclesiastes. It seems to summarize what has been said to this point by the Preacher, emphasizing that the the words of wise men or the inspired words that are coming from Almighty God are like goads. For us today, a goad is a spiked stick or a board in which nails were embedded with their points exposed encouraging an animal such as a cow or ox to keep moving by the animal feeling a sharp pain. Thus, the words of the wise are seen as a goad. Wise words sometimes hurt and are partly unwelcome as we traverse through life, on our own, left to our devices. But, we need to be poked and reminded of our purpose. As seen in Psalm 23:1 (The Lord is my shepherd), the ancient Hebrews often referred to God as their "shepherd." Thus, these are words given by one Shepherd -- the Lord God.

Reminders are sometimes corrections that sting a little. We traverse through life often with an expectation of how things are to go and wise words at times assault us a little, prodding us or reminding us. I notice this often in my life as I often get corrected at work. I make a point that I think is appropriate and come to find out there is a rule that contradicts my point. Getting corrected continually is sort of tough. It hurts to the psyche, but it is necessary and I shouldn't resist it, though I do.

Excessive Reading
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. Here is a warning to be careful about how much time we spend studying and seeking information. We need to be people of action, not just study. I even see this as an application to pray for I notice my own tendency to spend a lot of time in study and gaining knowledge and not enough time praying or taking what I have learned and praying. Again, as has been talked about, I need that gentle prodding and reminder. The reason I study is to see how the Lord wants me to live. That is my purpose.

Promise: Seek Wisdom. Seek Godly wisdom, but also be a person of action not simply study. Welcome the wisdom from God, even it means getting corrected or reminded of what I need to do.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this insight that I need, though I may not always want or desire. Getting corrected is a humbling experience. Help me to read what I need to read, but also be a person of action. Thank you for the wisdom of your Book. Thank you that it is what I need each and every day.

Jesus Calling: July 27

Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven. 

Romans 12:12
English Standard Version

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
 
I Thessalonians 5:8
English Standard Version

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Hebrews 6:18-19
English Standard Version

¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

My Prayer (2021)

O Father, keep my eyes focused on You. I want to have tunnel vision toward You and not get so distracted by my left and right. I'm impatient right now. And I complain. Forgive me for my gossip and talking ill of others. I so quickly want to make people think my life is in turmoil. If I share things, help me to not attach names to those feelings. I realize that my words tarnish what people think of people when I bring up their names. I'm so quick to try to make myself out to be the better person. You tell me to be patient in tribulation. I need that reminder because I can be so impatient. In these moments, I'm so thankful that You accept me no matter what. But, give me that strength and resolve to change so that I'm glorifying you in all I do and say....and think. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.