The Everyday Prayer

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”-King David, Psalm 14:1

Nabal seems to be an intelligent man. He runs a sizable business; he’s done very well for himself. Not to mention, he clearly knows a good woman when he see one. But for all his wealth and discerning eye, the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that Nabal is a fool through and through. There are many signs that give this away in the story. He is known to behave badly, he doesn’t listen, he’s unreasonable, he’s a drunkard, etc. But the clearest indication of his foolishness is this-he rejects the coming king. He doesn’t just say “no” to the soon-to-be-king’s request, no he goes even further in his foolishness and refuses to acknowledge who David is.

Now, that’s foolishness, rejecting the requests of the coming king and pretending he doesn’t even exist. Let’s not be foolish.

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 25:1-34 (day four)

In our last chapter, David demonstrated discernment of God’s direction over the counsel of his men.  This week, in chapter 25, we have several examples of people demonstrating discernment.  The first were the young men who worked for Nabal.  They recognized Nabal’s foolishness and wisely informed Abigail of his folly.  Abigail exercised discernment when she intervened for her husband with David.  David recognized that Abigail’s counsel, unlike his men in the cave, was accurate to God’s directions.  David blessed her for her discernment.  (v. 33)  Discernment is accurately seeing the truth of a situation, regardless of the competing noise of bad counsel.

How do we learn discernment?  John MacArthur has said, “Through the Holy Spirit, God dispenses His wisdom to believers.  His Word is so comprehensive, so effective, and so complete that, 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, believers can judge ‘all things.’  Christians who know Scripture can have such a comprehensive ability to discern things because they have ‘the mind of Christ.’”

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day three)

“May you be blessed for your good judgment.” 

When all the ideas that attract your attention start to sound like counsel you would give to yourself, when searching for guidance becomes seeking permission, when your mentor becomes your cheerleader, stop.  You’re about to fall off the cliff.  It will happen soon.  A wise man gives good advice.  A wiser man recognizes good advice.  Look at David’s life and start taking notes.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day two) Then Samuel died; and all Israel gathered together and mourned for him, and buried him at his house in Ramah. vs. 1a

Samuel: prayed for before birth, dedicated to the service of the Lord, clearly discerned the voice of the Lord as a child, lived a life with unwavering faith.

Much of what we read about Samuel deals with his frustration regarding Israel. He was often encountering roadblocks or stubborn hearts. Rarely do we hear of Samuel celebrating a triumph of faith, or rejoicing in the nation’s obedience to God. Through it all, however, Samuel is undeterred. His commitment is not based on the approval of men. Even as the people around him ran counter to the will of God, he was faithful. How do we measure our effectiveness for the kingdom? What happens if things don’t turn out the way we plan? Samuel continued to chase after God. Whether kingdoms rise or fall on our watch is not so much the point as how we serve.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day one)

“Let this gift. . .be given to the young men who accompany my lord.  Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant.”–v 25-28.

Not unusual, I suppose.  A beautiful, intelligent woman is married to a surly, foolish man.

1 Samuel 25 tells Abigail’s story.  When her husband makes a decision that endangers the family, Abigail intervenes with the skill of a diplomat.  She does not cover for Nabal (no excuses for him) but neither does she allow herself and family to be victims of his foolish choices.

When the Bible teaches a wife to be submissive to her husband, it does not mean for her to be paralyzed or passive.  Just as David found a way to honor Saul’s authority but to stay away from his anger (1 Samuel 20), so Abigail illustrates for us a path that is both submissive AND shrewd.”

“The children of this age are (often) more shrewd than the children of light”–Jesus (Luke 16:8)

 

 

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 24 (day seven)

1 Samuel 24:20 “Now, behold, I KNOW that you will surely be king, and that the Kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.”

Saul finally said out loud the reality that they had been living for a long time.  Saul finally said, “I know”.  I know what God is doing in this situation.  Sometimes it takes us decades and scars to figure out the will of God, but when we finally look up and say, “I know”, what then?

How are we to respond to God when our hard heads finally realize that God is at work in a situation?  The faithful thing to do would be to immediately drop everything and get in line with God.  More realistically though, we walk the other way like Saul did, going back to the comfort of our own homes.  We are going to face days in our lives when the will of God is contrary to our own desires, when our flesh just wants to run home.  Don’t run.  Resist the flesh by trusting the will of God, and you will see the Kingdom of God in ways you never thought possible.

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 24 (day four)

“As the proverb of the ancients says, “out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be against you.”  V. 13

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus made reference to this same truth.  Matthew 7:16-20 says, “You will know them by their fruits…”  David understood this truth…he could not believe God on one issue and then ignore Him on another.  To obey and honor the Lord, David must trust His authority to bring about what He has promised.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit.  David’s men might have rationalized that God had delivered Saul into their hands.  David saw the bigger picture.  David knew that to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed would be evil.

Isn’t it easy to take matters into our own hands?  “Look Lord, here is the best way for this to play out.”  The end does not justify the means.  The way we get to the final outcome is as important to God as the outcome itself.  Trust God…He will keep His promises