Scott Lane

Devotion & Obedience >

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 6 (day five)

vs 20 Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!”

A strong word/warning to parents and grandparents in this passage- our children are watching and learning from our actions and attitudes. We don’t have to wonder where this perspective from Michal comes from. She saw it with her father, king Saul. Many times Saul chose his own reputation and image ahead of obedience and devotion to God. Michal basically is calling out David for “conduct unbecoming of a king”. She is more concerned about the image of the king than bringing glory to God. David was not. We have opportunities to communicate those same values and priorities many times a day, not just in worship services. I pray our children (and others) see in us and begin to learn for themselves that devotion and obedience to God are greater than anything else.

Lesson on Prayer

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day five)

vs 19- so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, vs 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered,

Does it seem interesting that David the warrior king would pray and ask God for direction about a battle with the Philistines? When the heart’s focus is walking with God and pleasing Him at every turn, it is no surprise at all when David asks the Lord for guidance (and then patiently listens for His response- where I often drop the ball). David didn’t rely on his own skill set to accomplish something for God. He trusted God to guide him even when he could have been quite capable. Then, when a very similar circumstance arises, David asks again for guidance rather than just continue on with God’s previous instruction.

Every occasion (even if familiar or repeated) is an opportunity to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance and direction.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬

Contentment

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7 (day five)

“Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” And David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.” 2 Samuel 2:1,3

Sometimes the biggest struggle we face is when we seem to have power and opportunity given to us by God Himself. David had the first (promise of being King) already clearly communicated to him. The second (opportunity to immediately become King) was literally handed to him by the Amalekite. Wasn’t it time to step into the role and position David was created for? Not Yet. David shows remarkable patience and contentment by his response. He laments and grieves the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. He then asks the Lord for guidance and direction instead of immediately jumping into the position of king. Who does that? Why wait? Why not act on the circumstances? Because David has learned to trust God not only for His word and promises, but also His timing. It’s a supernatural sense of patience, peace, and contentment. J. I. Packer calls it “comprehensive contentment” and describes it as evidence of knowing God. I wonder if our actions, decisions, and motives reflect this kind of deep relationship with the living God?

My

Re:Verse passage – John 21 (day five)

In the middle of restoring Peter, Jesus has amazing words of comfort and clarity for His followers and those who would lead them. It’s the pronoun Jesus uses when He commissions Peter (My). Jesus leaves no doubt or confusion about the ownership and belonging of His sheep. They/we belong to Jesus. There is such security and confidence in His statement. We belong to Him. He takes this facet of our relationship with Him seriously. So much so, that He provides under-shepherds to feed and lead His sheep. But, make no mistake, the sheep belong to Christ. What joy! What Peace! What encouragement! To rest in the knowledge and understanding that we belong to Jesus!

His Voice

Re:Verse passage – John 20:1-21 (day five

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

Believers often point to the empty tomb in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The empty tomb is not the biggest indicator of Jesus’ resurrection. That is why Mary was so upset rather than elated or overcome with joy when she saw the empty tomb. Too many possibilities for an empty tomb. Resurrection was probably last on the list.

What really convinced Mary that Jesus was alive? His voice- encouraging, penetrating, missionary, and relational.

It’s the same with us. What convicts and convinces us that Jesus is alive? It is His voice- personal, prophetic, powerful. He calls us by name and we are awakened to the reality and glory of a resurrected Savior

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:4

Body Life

Re:Verse passage – John 19:1-30 (day five)

Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

With these instructions for John, Jesus begins a new paradigm for relationships and ministry within the community of faith- the responsibility of loving and caring for one another. The custom would have been for Jesus to place his mother in the care and provision of his brothers. Keep it in the family. Jesus has a new model for love and care- the family of God. We are meant to find encouragement, love, provision, and great care in our church family. Have you received this kind of kindness and concern from brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you show it to others in your Bible Study group? Circle of 6? Network of church friends?

As we live together in our community of faith, let us do (Body Life) loving and caring for each other in the Body of Christ.

Scripture and the Holy Spirit

Re:Verse passage – John 14:15-31 (day five)

“These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” 14:25-26

Jesus’ words reveal how the scriptures would be written and protected- with and through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul will write later, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit.” 1 Corinthiams 2:12-13

The Holy Spirit would remind and make clear to the disciples the words and actions of Jesus. The Spirit inspired John to remember and teach what he had seen and learned.

We should come to the scriptures amazed and expectant. Ask the Spirit who inspired their writing to illuminate their reading.

Love, Lessons, and the Gospel

Re:Verse passage – John 13: 1-17 (day five)

John 13:1b having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

Jesus does many amazing things all in this particular act of love. It was definitely a teaching moment. It was also an empowering moment. But above all, it was an act of love- selfless love. What would cause Him to pause as He continued deeper and deeper into the shadow of the cross? Love.

He is also teaching them so many lessons: no one is above serving, no one is below being served, a pattern for selfless love, Jesus is the source to be able to love like that.

I wonder if they “got it” while it was happening? I suspect as they reflected later and realized how close this event was to the crucifixion it made even more of an impact.

This kind of sacrificial love and service points directly to the gospel. Only a gospel transformation of one’s heart and nature can cause us to humbly and lovingly serve others like this.

Life Lessons

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day five) Jesus had hard but honest words for the Greeks. Same honest and hard words for us. The christian life is difficult, counter cultural and counter intuitive. The illustrations He chooses are not the feel-good pictures that would be considered market friendly- dying like a grain of wheat, hating our life in this world, following Jesus on a path to suffering, and becoming a servant. However, these pictures are not the end of the story. Jesus also has glorious promises for those that will die, devalue their own life, follow, and serve. They will bear fruit, find eternal life, be near and close to Jesus, and will be honored by God.

What we learn is that the christian life is not easy, but it is productive, intertwined with the presence and power of Jesus, and eternal. Anyone want to live that kind of life (now and in eternity)?

Again

Re:Verse reading–John 9:1-7, 13-41 (day five) Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him… John‬ ‭9:35‬ ‭

It may be the sweetest part of this interaction with Jesus, the second encounter between Jesus and the man who was formerly blind. The first interaction resulted in physical healing, courage, and boldness. That encounter also caused stress, trouble, and conflict. The scripture says “they put him out”. Do you sometimes feel it too? See John 15. “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

So in the midst of the difficulty and isolation Jesus finds him (again). Sound familiar? “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”Psalm 46:1 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Maybe an encounter with the Living God (again) is just what we need today. Whatever the need or circumstance, ask Him to come near and find you to continue that work in your heart and mind!