Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 28:3-20; 31:1-6 (day five) 

At the end, Saul’s life is empty, miserable, and meaningless. It is lacking. What is missing?  

Trust in God. He chooses to follow his own path over and over rather than follow God’s guidance. It was a trust issue. Saul was always looking for a solution rather than trying to find the Lord Himself. 

Satisfaction in God. Saul was never content. Being God’s king was never enough. He was restless to get more wealth and monuments instead of destroying the Amalekites. He was not at peace with being God’s king in the moment, rather he tried to secure his future instead of being fulfilled in his current role as king.

Both of these missing pieces lead us to the ultimate conclusion, Saul did not know God. Regardless of his spiritual fervor, Saul’s lack of trust and satisfaction reveal a heart that is unaware of God’s gracious love and His strength and power.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day five) I often ask this question to help find meaning and application in scripture, “Is there and example for me to avoid or follow?” In this passage, David provides both. His reaction to Nabal’s insult is highly emotional. David has quickly forgotten the lesson he learned and taught his soldiers in chapter 24 (the provision and sovereignty of God). We should respond not react to unkindness and lack of respect.  However, David gets it right just a few verses later. He is willing to listen and learn from Abigail. He is teachable, approachable, and hears the Lord in her humble plea. May we listen for the Lord in the words of others. May we recognize that the Lord will use the counsel and perspective of those around us to help us hear His voice and will. 

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 24 (day five) All of the pieces seemed to have come together.  The tension and suffering could be over.  God was delivering Saul to David.  Saul was within his grasp.  Yet, David rightly understood the timing was wrong.  How was David so patient in waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled? How can we be as patient while we wait on the Lord?  A look at David’s journal might give us insight.  Many scholars believe David wrote Psalm 57 while in the cave. It was David’s view of God that was the key.  David saw God as sovereign (Psalm 57:2- “God who fulfills his purpose for me”). David constantly pictured God’s love (Psalm 57:3- “God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!”). David viewed God as greater than any circumstance (Psalm 57:5- “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”).  David’s perspective allowed him to trust and discern God’s timing.  

Try it!!  “God is bigger/better than  _______________.

Re:Verse reading— 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 30-42 (day five)

“What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?”1 Samuel 20:1

I believe that David knew the answers to the questions, but he wanted/trusted Jonathan to tell him the truth. He lived in accountability with Jonathan. Who do you trust to enough to ask the hard questions of you? (money, motives, purity, honesty, sin, temptation) Who hears your completely honest responses? Just the Lord? Is that a conversation that only happens in your prayer closet? A mentor? A close friend of the same gender? A spouse? A parent? There’s something humbling and freeing about hearing your own voice ask and answer the questions. Humility and freedom- two qualities of a heart that belongs to God. Accountability is a part of God’s provision for discipleship and holiness. Will you look for a “trusted truth-teller”?  Will you ask and answer the tough questions with them?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 18:1-16, 19:1-10 (day five)

One of the biggest tasks of adolescence is the formation of identity.  Parents, grandparents, peers, and the church all can play a role in this process.  The danger is that if identity is formed apart from a biblical worldview, the individual can be unhealthy both emotionally and relationally.  Sound like anyone in this week’s Re:Verse?  Saul’s identity has been formed by his strong desire to have the approval of men over the approval of God.  See 1 Samuel 18: 8-9.  Actually, the issue is not just with teenagers. It can be an adult problem too. Let me offer a few perspectives that should daily shape the identities of teens and adults who are believers:

God is all brilliant and all powerful and thus all He does is right and good.

The way God designed me perfectly fits His plans and purposes for me.

I have the mind of Christ.

I am strong in Christ.

I am not alone.

By God’s grace, I am royalty and will reign with Him some day.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 17:1-11, 26-32, 38-51  (day five) 

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 17:11

We all lack courage to some degree. Underneath our outer appearances are varying degrees of doubt and insecurity that turns to fear; e.g. what others think about us, sharing our faith, relationships, sickness, the future. From the beginning in Genesis, we see the effects of human insecurity and doubting of God’s Words and His promises.

David had a courageous heart- trusting God’s Word and promises. “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”  Fear kept the Israelites from trusting God’s promises and His power. Fear does the same to us.  We must ask God for courage.  If we don’t, then the giants will always seem too big and the voices (internal and external) of doubt and fear will cause us to hide and keep us from  the work of God.

Grant us wisdom grant us courage: For the facing of this Hour, For the living of these days, Lest we miss Your Kingdom’s goals, That we fail not them nor Thee, Serving You Whom we adore.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16  (day five) ¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

It was a momentous occasion. Anointed to be king!  As the oil rushes over David’s head, the Spirit of God rushes on him.  What comes next?  Robe and crown fittings? Elite leadership training?  No.  Samuel goes back to Ramah and David returns to tending the sheep.  David must wait and trust in God’s timing.  And we know that God used the time in the pasture as preparation for David’s future.  Skills to be learned.  Attitudes to be formed.  Character to be developed.  God uses our regular everyday routines and tasks to prepare us for His planned future.  School, singleness, marriage, parenting, and work (just to name a few) are all “pastures” that the Lord will send us to and through to develop character, patience, integrity, discipline, devotion, and servanthood.  If God is developing those things in us, what could God’s future plan look like?

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

“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”  Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

I love the unchangeable nature of God in this passage. Jesus- “the image of the invisible God” says and does exactly what is described and promised in Psalm 46. “God is… a very present help in trouble.”

‭In the midst of pain, sorrow, confusion, and uncertainty, Jesus comes close.  He begins a conversation, and reveals Himself to Mary.

This is such good news: for those in need, for those who are troubled, for those who are confused, and for those who are burdened.  Start the conversation with Him, search the scriptures, pour out your heart, listen and feel His promised presence and help. He is faithful!  He is Risen!!

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14