Author: Scott Lane

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

Re: Verse reading—1 Samuel 9 & 10 (day five)

10:26 “Saul also went to his house at Gibeah; and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.”

Don’t overlook the miracle. God touched their human hearts. God touches human hearts. Remember the testimony of the disciples on the Emmaus road? “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us?” It was not a holy persuasion. It was the Living Savior touching their hearts. He was that close.

Through His Holy Spirit, the Lord desires to touch us in that most personal, intimate and secret place- the core of our being, the location where values, priorities, and passions are formed- past all the layers to the center of our soul. He promises to be that close. We don’t need a just word or a glimpse. We need a touch! What if He did touch your heart? What would be the result? Will you pray, “God touch human hearts, beginning with mine”.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 7 (day five)  vs. 12 Then Samuel took a stone…and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”  True repentance helps us see and understand God more accurately in the three tenses.  It’s in the name of the stone- Ebenezer “Thus far the Lord has helped us”.  Only after they repented, the Israelites recognized: 1- God was helping in the past (thru sorrow, defeat, depression) 2- God is helping in the present (joy, deliverance, nearness) 3- God will help in the future (His nature, character, promises are un-changing).  There was gratitude for the past.  There was joy in the present.  There was hope for the future.

Romans 2:4- The kindness of God leads you to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9- not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Psalm 46:1- God is a very present help.

Anyone want/need that kind of perspective and hope?  Repent and believe!!

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day five)

Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’“.   Samuel comes with confusion and questions. Eli discerns that it IS the Lord. Yet doesn’t do the work for Samuel. He doesn’t shortchange Samuel by over explaining the situation. He doesn’t give him the answers. He doesn’t tell stories about his own glory days. He simply encourages and empowers Samuel to correctly listen and respond to the voice of the Lord.

This is a great example for parents and grandparents to follow. We must create a relationship and climate where there is freedom and opportunity for our kids and teenagers to ask questions. Then, we can empower and help our children to do the work of understanding and discovering the voice and guidance of the Lord. It could be a spiritual turning point for them as they grow and mature and begin to own their own faith. (See 1 Samuel 2:26)

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day five)

Hannah’s faithfulness to pray and her approach to prayer can be helpful to us all.

There is praise in her prayer. She prays to the “Lord of Hosts”. Remember the scene in Luke 1 where the shepherds see and hear the Heavenly Host? (The Angel Armies of the Lord) In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah is praising God for His power and authority, the Lord of Hosts.

Hannah’s example is that praising God in prayer is needed and necessary. I sometimes leave that out in my personal prayer time and just share my heart. Big mistake. Praise helps calibrate my heart. Praise helps put me in my place and helps me see God in His proper place. Praise also fills me with awe- to think that I can talk with an all-knowing and all-powerful Father who invites me into relationship and communication with Him.

Try spending as much time and attention in praise as you do other parts of your prayer time. God will use it to help you.