July 30-Rescued

Journey through 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 11.12-15 “the LORD has rescued Israel”

Focus Verse-1 Samuel 11.13

But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”

Insight-Saul has just proved that he can lead the nation into victory and now the question is, “So who said they wouldn’t follow Saul?”  Maybe they go a little far by saying that those who didn’t want to follow Saul should be killed.  Once again Saul steps up and makes peace, saying it’s about following what God has done, not what Saul has done.

Saul does a good job deflecting the attention to God and toward celebrating the rescue that God has performed in their lives.

Active Response-I want to learn to see more and more that God is the author of everything good in my life.  Rather than focusing on whether I was respected or not, I want to focus on celebrating the grace and goodness of God.

Rescuing God, thank you for reaching into my life and rescuing me from myself and everything else that tries to destroy me.  May I revel in Your goodness today.  Amen.

July 29-You Will be Delivered

Journey through 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 11.1-11 “By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.”

Focus Verse-1 Samuel 11.9

They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’ ” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.

Insight-This story takes place in a time when Israel was disorganized and the attack on a smaller tribe is what God uses to unify the nation, particularly under Saul.  Saul takes a big step in establishing his leadership when the news of one of the tribes being in danger of oppression arouses his anger.  The key here is that as his anger is aroused, it is channeled into justice.  So here we see that anger is something that God can use as long as it is used to bring about positive change.

Active Response-Sometimes I wonder if I don’t get angry enough.  Is it possible that I am too laid back and disinterested in others to be angered by the oppression that they may be facing?  I want my love for others to grow so that I can notice their oppression and be used by God to do something about it.

God, You are the God of Justice, knit my heart with Yours, show me how to love like You and to act in justice like You.  Amen.

The Life of David/Brian Graber and Lon Bjornrud

Looking at the Heart (audio)

Looking at the Heart (video)

July 28-Where is the king?

Journey through 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 10.9-27 “Long live the king!”

Focus Verse-1 Samuel 10.19

But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

Insight-This section seems to be the evidence of a God who is both patient and fully confident in His ability to be God whether His people want to acknowledge it or not.  Through Samuel, God reminds the people of all of the times He has delivered them and been the ultimate King, yet they have rejected Him, so He will let them have what they want.  God doesn’t force Himself on us does He?

And in all of this, there are red flags everywhere when it comes to this plan to have a king.  Saul, the guy who appears to be the best man for the job, is such a coward that when the time comes to recognize him as king, he is hiding in the luggage!  Yet the people choose to follow him as their king.

Active Response-I need to surrender my desires to be king of my own life because when it comes down to it, I can tend to be like Saul.  Rather than standing up, I become all too painfully aware of my inadequacy and I try to hide.  I need to let God be my King and true leader-this is where I find my strength and confidence.

God, lead me, guide me and fill me.  Amen.

July 27-Their Cry has Reached Me

Journey through 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 9.1-10.8 “I have looked upon my people for their cry has reached me”

Focus Verse-1 Samuel 9.16

“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

Insight-God is so gracious.  Even after His people have openly rejected His leadership, He is still taking the initiative to deliver them from the Philistine oppression.  What would it be like if this wasn’t true of God?  We would be toast.  God’s grace is a beautiful compliment to His judgment.  Once again, God hears the cries of the oppressed.  This time, amidst all the complaining and rejection.

Active Response-I don’t want God to have to sift through the rejection and complaining.  I want God to have to sift through the praise and the worship.  I also want to appreciate that grace that is always all around me.

Gracious God, hear my cries and deliver me as only You can do.  Thank you for Your patience and grace that makes me whole.  Amen.