Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – 1 Samuel 17:38-51 (day two) 

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. vs 48

How often do you run to meet a challenge? How often do you face insurmountable odds and danger with abandon? More importantly, how often do you feel the pleasure of the Lord in what you are called to do? Call it the impetuousness of youth if you like, but there is more than youthful zeal in David’s action. He has rightly discerned that if the Lord is for you, then nothing that opposes you will stand. This isn’t just a beloved Old Testament story, this is our spiritual reality. God doesn’t measure obstacles the way we do, just as he didn’t judge a king’s stature when choosing David. Know the Lord is on your side, and run to face whatever challenges are in your way.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Samuel 16:5-13 (day two)  

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” vs. 11a

We often talk about the sibling rivalry found among Joseph and his brothers. He was favored among the rest, and it cost him. David’s family dynamic was the opposite. He wasn’t included among the rest of his brothers as they were brought before Samuel to be consecrated. He didn’t even rate an introduction until the prophet asked if there were any other sons. Small, young, and insignificant is how he was portrayed. Hopefully, this isn’t a lesson in how to treat your children better, but there are likely some areas of our lives where we give little thought. Things, relationships, priorities that receive no attention when we consider Kingdom things. Perhaps we need to take some time to re-evaluate. Why has the Lord placed an insignificant matter in the corner of my life? Is this an opportunity to be led in a direction you have never considered before?

Re:Verse passage – Judges 16:15-21 (day two)

Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? vs. 15a

A few years ago we did a study on the Judges of Israel. It was fascinating to look at the lives of these leaders. To say they were flawed is an understatement. Bryan used the term anti-hero, and that is about as close as we can come to describing most of those characters. They don’t share the archetypes that we usually associate with leadership, but it also shows that God can use anyone to fulfill his purpose. In our story this week we see how the impetuous Samson is unequally yoked to Delilah. Their union was not what you would want for your children. There was never a shared story between them that lead to their marriage. What is most troubling is Samson did not see the deceit that was brewing in front of him. When we make decisions based on desire rather than the leadership of the Holy Spirit we so often become blinded to the danger that is right in front of us. We must take care to always be sensitive to the Spirit, so we know when to turn right or left.

Re:Verse passage – Joshua 7:6-12, 20-21 (day two) So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? vs. 10

Can you imagine how Joshua must have felt? Things were moving in the right direction. Israel was finally getting to reap the promises of the Lord, and then to be routed in defeat for no discernible reason. It must have felt like a gut punch. Joshua knew enough to fall down and grieve their situation, but God was not calling for a season of inaction. He was expecting Joshua to act, on his behalf, to root out the cause of the sin. If Joshua had not be dialed into a relationship with the Lord, he would have missed the point of the defeat. Not every situation, fumble, sin, or problem has the same formula for fixing. The key is to be in a right relationship with the Lord. Sometimes we need to grieve, and sometimes we need to act. We shouldn’t treat every situation with some ‘universal’ fix other than to seek after God’s design.

Re:Verse passage – Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5 (day two) and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat vs 6:5b

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Psalm 98:4

Let’s be honest, we need to do more shouting. One of the questions I get in regards to worship is ‘how do I feel about clapping in service?’ I think I understand the heart of the question.  It speaks to who is receiving glory and recognition. Let me be clear, it is not us. We do not approach worship hoping to be recognized or honored for their performance.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory Psalm 115:1

Our prayer each week is to use the gifts, given on loan from the Lord, to present an offering of praise that we may glorify the Lord, and in so doing help others to see his goodness. It is a beautiful circle. We take from the Lord and use what he has given us to give back.

There are times when worship is so alive and profound that you can’t help but react. Scripture is on your side. Clap, shout, and respond. Not for our benefit, but to give praise to the Lord. This doesn’t always happen. Some times we need to sit and reflect, and just be still in the Lord.

My hope is that I will encourage more people to respond to the Lord in a way that directs praise to him. My prayer is also that our congregation knows we don’t need applause. We simply want to use our worship to see Jesus more clearly, and to help others to do the same. However you respond, please do so for the glory and honor of our savior.

Re:Verse passage – Joshua 2:1-21 (day two)  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the ^[d]Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt vs. 10a

Rahab must have been overwhelmed by the presence of these men in her house. She and her people had heard the stories of the work of God on behalf of the people of Israel. She recounted to them several stories of the Lord’s miraculous deliverance. Keep in mind that the parting of the Red Sea had been over 40 years earlier. The truth of the Lord cannot be hidden, and our job is to be present and to affirm the truth of who the he is in this world and in our lives. If we would take more time to share of God’s provision in our lives, we might be amazed at how those around us want to know more.

Re:Verse passage – Genesis 50:15-20 (day two)  

But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? vs. 19

Joseph’s brothers have a natural reaction in their predicament. Their understanding of forgiveness was not grounded in a relationship with the Lord, so it is understandable that they thought that with their father out of the way, things would turn. I’m this way, and I’m probably in good company. Conditional forgiveness, is not forgiveness. Either we are forgiven or we are not. This is the promise of Jesus. Aren’t you grateful that he doesn’t treat us this way. Always looking over your shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop. We cannot begin to move forward if we are always looking back. Joseph gave us the first real picture of this.

Re:Verse passage – Genesis 22:1-18 (day two)  He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” vs. 12

Most of you know that I spent many years in the classroom as a choir teacher. It was my training and my dream to teach. When God began to pull at my heart to leave the classroom to serve in the local church. I was not, initially, eager to obey. My path had been set before me, and my prospects were exactly what I had dreamed about. The Lord reminded me of Numbers 9:15-23. Wherever the cloud went, the Israelites were to follow. Where the cloud was, there was the Lord. It helped remind me of where I ultimately put my trust. Not in my wants and desires, but in the footprints of the savior. Abraham is remarkable in that he didn’t have scripture to fall back upon. His fear (read trust) in the Lord came from some very real encounters throughout his life that he was willing to shape his decision making upon. Are you trusting the Lord today? Even when he gives you an uncomfortable assignment, you can trust him.

Re:Verse passage – Genesis 6:5-22 (day two) The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Vs. 6

There are few verses of scripture that make me stop and think like this one. It isn’t the only time we hear of God’s disappointment in us, but this statement tells us so much about our creator. We affirm that God knows all things, and that he holds past, present, and future in his hands. Why, then, should he be disappointed. Didn’t he know this was going to happen. Sure, but that doesn’t stop a parent from grieving when they see their children go astray. You may well know how things will turn out, but that doesn’t stop your heart from breaking when they make poor choices. The ultimate take away from this story is one of compassion. God made a way. God always make a way. Ultimately, he will send Jesus as the definitive Way to bridge the gap between a sinful people, and their creator. Aren’t you grateful that God doesn’t give up on his people. Aren’t you glad he has made a way?