Month: April 2018

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16.  (day two) 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” vs. 7

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52

If there is an underlying theme that we can pull from the grand narrative of scripture it might be that God’s ways are not like ours. What we value, what we honor tend to be vapid, shallow, and very often narcissistic. God is always about the long game. What withers and fades is of little use to an eternal God bent on the everlasting future of his children. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, then, when his choice of leader, his direction for our lives, his ultimate plans deviate from ours. Our best recourse is to recalibrate our hearts to his.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day four)

V. 26 –“you have rejected the word of the Lord.”

This was the reason for Saul’s rejection…the reason his kingdom was taken away…he had rejected God’s Word.  It wasn’t just this one instance with the Amalekites, it was a pattern of rebellion against God.  Saul had sought to rule his kingdom according to his own desires in his own time.

Saul’s failure should serve as a warning to us.  Does God really mean what He says in Scripture?  Do we really expect to avoid judgment and punishment when we justify our disobedience?  As individuals or as a nation, can we allow abortion? Can we pervert God’s plan for marriage and the family?  Can we refuse to forgive and reconcile?  Can we pick and choose which command or how much of a command we will obey?  Forgiveness is available in response to true repentance.  True repentance will be followed by change of heart and action.  Obedience is better than sacrifice!

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day three)

“I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.”

It takes Saul three iterations of the narrative for him to speak the truth.  First, Saul does his best to convince himself that the plunder is purely for noble purposes.  Second, Saul attempts to redirect: The main thing got done, didn’t it?  Finally, Saul arrives at the real story: “I acted out of fear.”  Herein lies the reign-defining difference between David and Saul.  David says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”  Saul says, “What time I am afraid, I will do fear’s bidding.”  It is not a sin to be afraid.  It is a sin to serve fear as one’s master.  Of course you’re afraid.  But what are you going to do from that point?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day two) 

But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” vs. 14

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9

What is your first response after you sin? What happens when you are confronted in your sin by a friend, family member, or the Lord? Adam tried to cover up his shame by making excuses. Saul flat out lied. What is it in us that compels us to compound sin with sin? Whatever the case we would all do well to heed these stories as cautionary tales for our own lives. If God has given you a command, instruction, or directive – don’t deviate. His way is always better.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day one)

I must be very careful to listen to God.  He is exact with His words and His expectations.

Poor Saul (foolish, stubborn Saul) thought that obedience to God was an approximate thing.  If he did “some” of what God said, it would equal obedience.

“I DID obey the voice of the Lord”, he protested in 1 Samuel 15:20. “I went on the mission, brought back Agag and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.”  Even when confronted, he did not recognize or repent the rebellion involved in doing only the part of God’s will that made sense to him.

God does not ask me to agree with Him.  He does not allow me to pass His commandments through a filter of my own opinion.  He calls me to obey.

I must be very careful to listen to God.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those who persecute you.  Rejoice always.  In every communication, He means what He says.

Easter Re:Verse reading–John 20:1-18 (day seven)

There is a weird tension in verses 8-9. First, we find out a disciple believes, then we find out they did not yet understand the Scriptures about the resurrection. Some debate the meaning of this claiming it’s a typo or it’s really talking about the Holy Spirit or more reasonably, both are true: they believed while not fully understanding the larger context of the resurrection in Scripture.

At this point in their faith they could not grasp the spiritual scope of what was happening in front of them. Which is perfectly ok, because they were working through their faith together. It was ok because they were searching out Jesus Christ, it was ok because the Holy Spirit would soon be coming, it was ok because we are finite beings in need of an unfolding process to understand. God knows this.

These confounded disciples are hope for us. Though we do not yet fully understand the scope of what God is doing in our lives, we can still make progress. We learn and we grow, as the spirit leads, having a greater knowledge of God today than we did yesterday. It is ok to work through your faith slowly, just make sure you are working on it. Even a snail’s pace is enough. Donald S. Whitney writes in Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, “The Bible does not set a minimum acceptable speed for the pursuit of holiness.” Even a snail’s pace is progress.

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14