The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day three)

“I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.”

It takes Saul three iterations of the narrative for him to speak the truth.  First, Saul does his best to convince himself that the plunder is purely for noble purposes.  Second, Saul attempts to redirect: The main thing got done, didn’t it?  Finally, Saul arrives at the real story: “I acted out of fear.”  Herein lies the reign-defining difference between David and Saul.  David says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”  Saul says, “What time I am afraid, I will do fear’s bidding.”  It is not a sin to be afraid.  It is a sin to serve fear as one’s master.  Of course you’re afraid.  But what are you going to do from that point?

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day two) 

But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” vs. 14

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9

What is your first response after you sin? What happens when you are confronted in your sin by a friend, family member, or the Lord? Adam tried to cover up his shame by making excuses. Saul flat out lied. What is it in us that compels us to compound sin with sin? Whatever the case we would all do well to heed these stories as cautionary tales for our own lives. If God has given you a command, instruction, or directive – don’t deviate. His way is always better.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day one)

I must be very careful to listen to God.  He is exact with His words and His expectations.

Poor Saul (foolish, stubborn Saul) thought that obedience to God was an approximate thing.  If he did “some” of what God said, it would equal obedience.

“I DID obey the voice of the Lord”, he protested in 1 Samuel 15:20. “I went on the mission, brought back Agag and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.”  Even when confronted, he did not recognize or repent the rebellion involved in doing only the part of God’s will that made sense to him.

God does not ask me to agree with Him.  He does not allow me to pass His commandments through a filter of my own opinion.  He calls me to obey.

I must be very careful to listen to God.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those who persecute you.  Rejoice always.  In every communication, He means what He says.

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

There is a weird tension in verses 8-9. First, we find out a disciple believes, then we find out they did not yet understand the Scriptures about the resurrection. Some debate the meaning of this claiming it’s a typo or it’s really talking about the Holy Spirit or more reasonably, both are true: they believed while not fully understanding the larger context of the resurrection in Scripture.

At this point in their faith they could not grasp the spiritual scope of what was happening in front of them. Which is perfectly ok, because they were working through their faith together. It was ok because they were searching out Jesus Christ, it was ok because the Holy Spirit would soon be coming, it was ok because we are finite beings in need of an unfolding process to understand. God knows this.

These confounded disciples are hope for us. Though we do not yet fully understand the scope of what God is doing in our lives, we can still make progress. We learn and we grow, as the spirit leads, having a greater knowledge of God today than we did yesterday. It is ok to work through your faith slowly, just make sure you are working on it. Even a snail’s pace is enough. Donald S. Whitney writes in Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, “The Bible does not set a minimum acceptable speed for the pursuit of holiness.” Even a snail’s pace is progress.

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

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

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

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

In our 1 Samuel passage, we see the end of Saul’s kingdom.  He has disobeyed God and his kingdom has been removed.  God would have established his kingdom forever, but instead, God sought a man after His own heart to bestow this honor upon.

In John 20, we see the culmination of that promise God will make to David in 1 Samuel 16.  David’s pure heart to obey the Lord resulted in a kingdom that would last forever.  Jesus was of the house of David and His resurrection ushered in His eternal kingdom.

For generations…hundreds of years…God’s plan had been unfolding.  Now…thousands of years later…it is still unfolding.  God has been faithful to His Word.  What does it mean to you and to me to have a God who is unchanging…who is eternal…who is faithful and true to His promises? Should our lives reflect His glory to those around us?  Could it be said of us that we are after God’s own heart?

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

 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” vs. 15a

They each came with an expectation. Whatever they thought of the divinity of Jesus before, now he was just a body to be prepared for burial. They expected a body, a dead body. Nothing in their hearts or minds could comprehend any other scenario. So when Jesus meets them he directly asks who they sought. They were looking for Jesus, but only as they expected to find him. Do you see the inherent problem there? Searching for Jesus on our conditions or agenda will only confuse us all the more when he stands in front of us challenging our expectations. They meant well, they really did, but their good intentions kept them from truly seeing the Savior. Perhaps we need to seek him as he is, not as we expect.

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

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

“They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”–v 9

It is something we say when our words are inadequate.  A story isn’t funny/or scary to people who only hear about it.  “You had to be there”, we tell them.

The Resurrection of Christ is the same.  Words aren’t enough.  Not for the disciples and not for us.  Until you experience the Savior alive you cannot know that He is.  A real encounter is required.   Sight or Spiritual power, conviction of the conscience–  We must experience His powerful presence.

Faith doesn’t mean that we believe without evidence.  It means that we allow the evidence to mean what God says it does.

“Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”–1 Thessalonians 1:5.

Happy Easter, my friends.  May we know the “power of His resurrection”–Philippians 3:10

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14