The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day four)

It was customary in those days that when a new king came to power, he killed all of the descendants of the old king to be sure that none decided to try to return to power.  Mephibosheth knew that he could not expect anything but death.  He humbled himself before David.  In contrast, Ziba believed that since he had aided the king, he deserved a just reward.  He was jealous of Mephibosheth.  David honored Mephibosheth, even though by all rights, he deserved nothing.  Ziba reminds us of Haman (thank you, Linda) who believed he deserved the king’s favor, but instead had to give honor to Mordecai. (Esther 6)

Jealousy is a deadly sin.  It can destroy relationships…it can distort the truth…it can be a cancer to our soul.  Ziba’s jealousy grew out of his greed and ambition for his own family.  Why should he have to serve a cripple?  Guard your heart against jealousy…none of us deserves anything but death.  Humbly accept God’s grace like Mephibosheth.

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day three)

“I will surely show you kindness.”  Some have said the Bible reveals to us a God who shows a preference for the disenfranchised.  This is not to say that God deals in favoritism.  The Bible itself dispels that notion.  It is to say that God pays attention to those that the powerful have ignored.  The paying of attention is a luxury among men, lavished only on those who promise a wealth of rewards in return.  It takes a person of immense contentment and confidence to forego such pursuits and spend the precious commodity of attention on the least among us.  When Jesus says that the greatest among you will be your servant, he says servanthood is greatness precisely because of the wealth of inner strength it requires.  God can make us that wealthy.  What kind of riches do you desire?

 

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day two) So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet. vs. 13

Twice in this narrative the writer tells us of Mephibosheth’s condition. Why is this important? What bearing does it play in David’s response to him? David was honoring a commitment of love and friendship that he had with Jonathan. There was no political motivation, no real need to honor this lame young man. He could not work or fight for him, but that was not the motivation in David’s heart. He was not interested in what Mephibosheth could or could not do, he was more interested in honoring a debt of love.

Sound familiar? What did you do to earn Jesus’ offer of salvation. What do any of us bring of worth to the author and perfecter of our faith? Even so he offers us a place at his table. He lavishes on us underserved blessing. This is an offer worth celebrating.

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day one)

Sometimes (often) service to God is not a grand, heroic thing.  Sometimes (often) service to God is simply keeping promises.

It has been over 15 years.  Maybe more.  Jonathan was gone.  Killed in battle.  Even further back is the promise he and David made to each other.  See 1 Samuel 18.  It was a relationship that changed David’s life.  A prince loved him, had confidence in him.  They made promises to each other.  Promises that David didn’t forget, even when success came.

It was politically unwise, I suppose.  Any strengthening of the house of Saul would have been regarded as foolish.  But David didn’t care.  He made a promise and he would keep it.

Marriage.  Church membership.  Surrender to Christ.  Family dedications.  Promises made!  Promises kept?

‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep.  But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”–Robert Frost.

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

“After many years of writing her own words in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to be more attentive to the Savior’s voice and began listening to what He was saying.  With pen in hand she embarked on a journey that forever changed her–and many others around the world.”–from book description.   She titled the book that came from her journals Jesus Calling.

Not a new idea, actually.  It is the same discovery that young Samuel made.  God speaks! He clearly communicates.  Through Scripture.  By the Spirit.  He makes His will and ways known.

Not an easy answer to life’s problems.  Listening to God requires much self-surrender and patience.  The assignments that come are often difficult.  See Samuel’s story.  Even so, life becomes different when we hear the Lord.  Great power here.

“And your ears will hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ “–Isaiah 30:21.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day six)

Don’t we all wish God would just speak to us out loud! He is of course; He is always talking to us through His written Word. In fact as one writer wrote, “If you want to hear God’s voice, read the Bible out loud.” Often though we seek answers to questions that God isn’t answering directly, like, “Where should I go to college?” or “What job should I take?” or “Who should I marry?” These are all great questions of course and should be asked, but most of the time God is more interested in the kind of person you should be when you get to that college, or land that job, or get married to that person.

God is always talking to us if we are willing to listen, and His words are always intended to shape who we are wherever we find ourselves. So, instead of asking “where” or “what” questions start asking “who;” if we can hear God’s answer (in His Word), often enough the answers to the other questions will fall into place.

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

In the next few weeks our children and teenagers will be in some of the most spiritually rich environments of the year. We often see evidence of this in public decisions and commitments. In Vacation Bible School and Youth Camp, our next generation will be learning and reading God’s Word. They will be near believers for extended periods of time. They will be presented the Gospel in music, worship, Bible Study, fellowship, and many other ways. The Lord is faithful and resilient to “call their names”. As parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers, and church family we have the privilege to be a part of their story. We get to participate in God’s activity in their lives. Will you pray for their salvation and spiritual growth?

Like Eli- Will you encourage them to listen for Lord? Will you point them to the voice and truth of the Lord ? Will you also encourage them to be obedient to his direction and conviction?

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

V.1 – “And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.” V. 7 – “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him.” Samuel was young and inexperienced. He had had little opportunity to see God at work around him and he had yet to meet God on an individual basis…but his heart was tender toward the Lord.  After God spoke to him the third time…following the prompt by Eli…he responded to God, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”  (V. 10)  This response was not only a willingness to hear, but an inference of intent to obey.  Samuel, like Abram, or later, Saul, did not predicate his obedience to God to first knowing what it was that God wanted.  He was prepared to obey whatever God had for him.

Have you ever reserved your obedience until you knew the whole story of what God wants you to do?  I have.  What God wants from us though is obedience without question…obedience without having to know what the cost will be to us.  May we have faith like a child…may we respond “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

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

“The lamp of God had not yet gone out.”  Throughout scripture, people have despaired of all hope, only to find that God has not lost track of them:  The children of Israel’s cries, God told Moses, had reached his ears; Samuel cowering in the cave heard God say that he was not the only God-fearing person left after all; Mary realized that through her womb God had brought down rulers and lifted up the humble; Paul, though everyone had deserted him, was delivered from the lion’s mouth of his accusers.  Through all of these events shone the glow that said the lamp of God had not gone out, not yet.  With God, there will always be a not-yet moment—a revelation that you are not at the mercy of the circumstances, but rather at the mercy of God.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day two) Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. Vs. 8b

Have you ever worked a riddle, a puzzle, or some problem over in your head for what seemed like forever only to have someone who had experience with that particular problem explain it away in a matter of seconds. It can be both frustrating and rewarding. You know the answer is there, but you don’t have the experience or knowledge to figure it out. Sometimes God calls, he sends signals, he gives hints, and then he sends some of his veterans to help you fill in the gaps. I am so grateful to know so many faithful believers who have spent their lives in the service in the Lord and who have seen him work through their lives and the lives of others. Surround yourself with believers young and old. Share your story, and listen as they share theirs. Then marvel at the way God reveals himself through a church who desires every generation to know and love the Lord.