Archives for July 2014

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 5:1–6:23, 1 Pet 4:1–11, Ps 136:1–26

Today’s Theme: The king in his Kingdom

Today’s theme is about our great King Jesus and his kingdom, we see a shadow of King Jesus in king David. We are called to live as good stewards in God’s kingdom.

Jesus, The Anointed King

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3 (ESV)

David is anointed as king for the third time, the first time was by Samuel when he was still a boy, the second by the Elders of Judah and now all Israel has anointed him as king.

David is an old testament picture of Jesus. Jesus is King, he came and was proclaimed as the king yet he has not fully consummated his kingdom which is why many Jews say he is not the Messiah. Isaiah 9:7

The truth is that even though Jesus is king now, he will be enthroned as king fully at the second coming, much like David’s staggered assent to rule over all Israel. John 1:49, John 6:15, John 18:37 and Acts 17:7

Jesus is a descendant of David and is therefore a king physically and spiritually as the promised Messiah. Jeremiah 23:5

Like David Jesus is not only king he is the shepherd over us guiding and protecting us as well as ruling over us. 1 Peter 2:25

Tear down the walls

And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 2 Samuel 5:20 (ESV)

God gave David the victory over his enemies, David recognises this and proclaims praise to God as the Lord of Breakthrough.

Like David we must realise we are in a spiritual war and that it is God who comes in like a mighty flood to defeat the enemy.

God’s kingdom is not a stagnant, passive kingdom, it is an advancing and growing kingdom. We need to rely on God in the daily spiritual battles to give us the breakthrough.

Consider what Paul calls strongholds, he describes them as thoughts, opinions, philosophies and teachings that build arguments up like a wall of defence against the truth of the Gospel in 2 Corinthians 10:5.

We can ask for God to breakthrough these stronghold walls, which are themselves little kingdoms rising up in rebellion to his kingdom and rule.

Let’s stand up and fight the King’s battles in the spirit knowing God will be with us like a flood tearing down the enemies walls and overthrowing every foe.

The commands of the king

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:7 (ESV)

We must follow Gods ways, he has made both decrees (things which will happen regardless of us) and commands (commands he desires that we obey) as the King of all creation.

David and the people were trying to do what would seem a good thing but not following the instructions God had laid out, which resulted in the death of Uzzah for steadying the ark in his own way.

God, our king is to be feared, he did not give commands just for the sake of it, we should seek to please him by obeying him in joy.

In a way we do want God to breakthrough on us, by the Holy Spirit so that the ways of our flesh would die

The presence of the king

And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household. 2 Samuel 6:11 (ESV)

God’s presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit brings with it blessings of righteousness, peace and joy as we read in Romans 14:17.

We should seek the presence of the king today and see the blessings of his presence fill our lives as we see God’s presence through the ark blessed the house Obed-Edom.

Seek God’s presence as you pray, read, mediate and worship today.

Celebrate the king

And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14 (ESV)

We should praise God with all our might just like David. God is our king so we should praise him with everything.

Our allegiance is first to him, not our own self image or the sensibilities of those around us.

The heart of the king

And David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD—and I will celebrate before the LORD. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.” And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6:21–23 (ESV)

We need to celebrate the king with the heart of the king which is kind and understanding.

David showed no understanding with Michal, her problem was the young women watching David, she begun her life with David as his only wife and after years of being used as a political pawn by her father and David, is now in a place of real hurt (now sharing David with many wives and concubines, abused by her dad, abandoned by David, taken by force from her husband) and so speaks out of turn from her broken and bitter heart.

We give no excuse to Michal but David made no attempt to show her understanding, love or mercy, instead he responds with harsh pride and his own contempt as it seems clear all intimacy between them came to an end as the scripture ends by saying she bore no children.

As we celebrate and praise the Lord, we must be careful that our hearts are not filled with, pride, arrogance or indifference, we must remain sensitive to the needs of those around us.

Think like the king

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1 Peter 4:1 (ESV)

Peter tells us to arm ourselves with a way of thinking, an insight, a perspective, in a sense a good stronghold. The thought we should arm ourselves with in our fight against sin is to be willing to suffer in the flesh.

If we wanted to lose wight in our fight against fat we would be willing to suffer the strain of exercise and abstaining form the tasty fatty foods we love.

Peter tells us to think like Jesus who suffered in the flesh to ultimately destroy sin on the cross.

Suffering in the flesh through discipline and sanctification will help to keep us from sin and will ultimately lead to sins complete removal in the new age.

Arm your mind today with the thought that “I will willingly suffer to put sin to death” Think like the king today.

Live for the king

so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2 (ESV)

We should not live for ourselves, our lives should not be all about us and our own pleasures. We should live to see God’s will done.

As believers we should have a new agenda, that of our kings kingdom, we proclaim the message of the king and establish his kingdom on the earth. We should live to see the king glorified and ensure our lives bring him pleasure.

We must not just take the path of least resistance and so go along with our natural desires, we should instead focus on fulfilling God’s will even if it means we will go though suffering.

Our lives should come full circle, our pleasure should be to do God’s will, in this sense we should be Christian Hedonists, fining pleasure in bringing pleasure to God.

The king will judge

but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:5 (ESV)

Every person that has ever lived will be judged, this should encourage us to suffer being maligned for not indulging in the debauchery of the world around us.

God judges in this life and on the day of judgement, he judges both the living and the dead, we must appeal to his grace and mercy and obey his commanded will.

Remind unbelievers that a day of judgement is coming.

Think clearly

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)

We need to have clarity of thought as believers, we should be self controlled and sober. A clear understanding of God’s word will give us clarity of thought which will help us pray.

The way of the king

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

Our king showed us and continues to show us his great love, we should love one another in the church community. We are God’s kingdom on the earth and so should walk in the way of the king which is to walk in self sacrificing love.

Love covers all sorts of offence and if we all walk in love most of the problems we face in church community are dealt with immediately because forgiveness and understanding will flow freely.

We are encouraged to keep loving, that means we don’t just try love on and when we don’t get the result we want try something else on, no, we should keep on persevering with love.

Cover one anothers shortcomings today by walking in love.

Serve the kingdom

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Use the gifts God has given you to serve in God’s kingdom, none of your gifts were given to you to just build yourself up, you have been blessed to be a blessing to others.

God wants us to be good stewards of the particular grace he has given to us. Be a good steward by investing in others with the gifts God has given you.

If we all give, we will all have.

Praise our faithful King

to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; Psalm 136:5 (ESV)

This song is filled with praise to God who’s love remains faithful to his people forever, our God is faithful and loyal to his covenants and deserves our praise.

In this particular verse we see that God intelligently designed the entire universe. Hallelujah.

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 3:1–4:12, 1 Pet 3:8–22, Ps 135:1–21

Today’s Theme: Broken Families

Today’s theme is about broken families and communities and how God has a plan to protect and restore our families in Christ.

Seeds of discord

and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 2 Samuel 3:5 (ESV)

Israel was in the middle of a civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David. In the middle of this distressing time which saw the families of Israel torn, we observe David blatantly breaking the law God had set out in Deuteronomy 17:17 to warn against kings taking multiple wives (polygamy) and having children with each one.

God’s design is that one man marries one woman for life and that they have children who they raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

David had six sons by six wives at Hebron, six is a number that always reminds us of the flesh because man was created on the sixth day of creation. David sowed seeds of discord by breaking God’s pattern for the family.

We must not allow our lives to be governed by the flesh as in the end it always lead to distress and death (Absalom killed Amnon). Galatians 5:16

On a practical level as a church we need to support broken families where there are many step children like David’s family and teach our young men and wider society God’s principles for human flourishing through healthy marriages and godly parenting.

Used, discarded and bitter

But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned. 2 Samuel 3:16 (ESV)

Michal is a character I feel sorry for in the biblical narrative. She represents so many women that are used, discarded and left feeling bitter and empty.

When we first meet Michal (her name means who is like God) Saul her father sees an opportunity to use David’s love for Michal to get David killed, he did not expect David to survive the retrial of 100 Philistine foreskins.

So Her own father Saul, used her as a political instrument with no regard for her well being, if David had died she would have been devastated. Her uncaring father then gives her in marriage to another man possibly with the intention of spiting David. She is married to Palti for at least 10 years.

David also treated Michal with contempt, she had proven her love to him by siding with him against her father Saul and helping David escape. However David never attempted to get her back and now does so out of political expediency without regard for her.

We see later that Michal becomes bitter after being used and discarded by the most important men in her life and now having to share David with many other wives.

We must pray for women who can identify with the abuse Michal suffered that they will not allow bitterness to consume them but will turn in their hurt to the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 and Hebrews 12:15.

Vengeance and severity

And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” 2 Samuel 3:39 (ESV)

Joab was driven by vengeance and unforgiveness which led him to commit murder and throw away an opportunity for peace in Israel.

This is one of the darkest moments in Joab’s life and it would come back to haunt him in Solomon’s reign.

David is sure to distinguish himself against Joab and his brother who have acted so wickedly and with their severe act of violence.

Severity, unforgiveness, bitterness and vengefulness destroy families and communities. Let us seek peace and pursue it 1 Peter 3:11.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies and do good for them in Matthew 5:43–44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Jesus also taught us against personal retaliation and vengefulness in Matthew 5:39 “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Restoring families and community

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8–9 (ESV)

The unity in our bible reading plan is remarkable. We have just read our old testament reading which is full of examples of broken families and communities and now our new testament reading opens with the remedy.

If we all in a desire to be unified, are sympathetic to each other, show brotherly love in the way we behave with each other and keep our hearts sensitive to the needs of those around us and the call of the Spirit with a humble mind; we will both guard against the breakdown of the family and the wider community and see it restored.

We are encouraged again to abandon desires for vengeance and to be proved right but to bless one another and repay evil with good.

These two verse are the remedy for our families, church and society.

Humble orthodoxy

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

We should all be able to give an answer for the hope we have. It is important that we do not share or defend the faith in pride as this too can drive people away and have a bad affect on families. Peter warns us to share, reason and defend the faith with gentleness, humility and respect.

We are called to study and to be theologically correct but to be so in humility, in a spirit of worship as we honour Christ in our heart.

Subject to him

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:22 (ESV)

All Angels, fallen and elect are subject to Jesus, they are subject to him right now TODAY! so we can have confidence as we pray that the devil can not do anything that God will not allow and the devil and all his demons are subject to the Sovereign rule of Christ.

We need this assurance because to see families restored we need to wage war against the agenda of the fallen angels. Jesus is over all these powers and gives us the victory as we pray.

The freedom of God

Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. Psalm 135:6 (ESV)

God has the sovereign freedom to do whatever pleases him, because he is good all he does is good. We should praise our wonderful Father in heaven who is king over all.

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 1:1–2:32, 1 Pet 3:1–7, Ps 133:1–134:3

Today’s Theme: True Friendship

Today’s theme is all about true friendship and right relationships before God. Human flourishing is one of God’s great purposes in creation and redemptive history; having healthy, good and biblical relationships serve that end and brings God glory.

True brothers

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. 2 Samuel 1:26 (ESV)

David and Jonathan were true friends, they had a deep love and respect for one another and showed fruits of genuine friendship. For example Jonathan proved himself to be David’s most loyal supporter, recognising God’s calling on David’s life and risking his life to save him.

We are called to this kind of friendship, to be loyal and selfless, this kind of friendship leads to human flourishing which is one of God’s great purposes in the world.

Liberals and activists trying to push the homosexual agenda on the church have attempted to reinterpret this verse to imply a sexual relationship existed between these friends, but the evidence and the text do not suggest that, rather these people do violence to the text by forcing their warped perspective on to it.

God intends husbands and wives to be the best of friends as we will read later, however in ancient Israel marriage was quite a formal affair focused more on family expansion and status than true companionship, this is why David is able to make the comparison between his best friend and his wives and say his friendship was dearer to him.

Our friendship with Jesus should surpass all relationships in this word. He should be dearer to us and bring us the greatest pleasure. John 15:15

Be a loyal friend

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. 2 Samuel 2:5 (ESV)

The men of Jabesh-gilead were commended, rewarded and blessed by David for the loyalty they showed to Saul and his sons.

We are called to be loyal friends too, sticking by those we call friends through thick and thin.

Loyalty is known by other words in scripture including love, devotion, kindness, steadfast love, good deeds, faithfulness and loving kindness.

God is loyal to his covenant and his people and calls us to be like him. We should be loyal friends to God before anything else.

We are called to loyalty throughout the new testament, here are just a few examples:

1. We should question our loyalty with Peter, John 21:15–17
2. Jesus encourages the church to be loyal Revelation 2:10
3. We are to love God above everyone else, including family, Matthew 10:37–39
4. We cannot be loyal to God and money or some other idol at the same time, Luke 16:13
5. We are to be loyal to Christ’s commands, John 14:21–24
6. True loyalty bring daily death of the flesh 1 Corinthians 15:30–31

Pride destroys relationships

And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?” But he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still. 2 Samuel 2:22–23 (ESV)

If Asahel had listened to the Nobel Abner he would not have been struck down. Abner wanted to preserve relationship between himself and Joab as commanders of Israel’s armies.

Asahel’s pride leads to his own pointless death and a breaking of covenant, relationship, friendship and potential among the elite families of Judah.

Don’t let pride destroy your life or your relationships or those of people connected to you.

Jesus warns us of the destructive power of pride in Mark 7:22–23 “coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

And John reminds us that pride is not from God in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Clothed in gentleness

but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4 (ESV)

God, speaking through Peter makes it clear in his word that women are to submit to their own husbands. Notice this is not just to the loving Christian husband but unsaved husbands too.

The argument made here is that the respectful and pure conduct of the Christian wife can have a part in the unsaved husband coming to know the Lord.

God does not intend women to be bullish, argumentative, confrontational or superficial; that is not the biblical model of womanhood. God wants women to be clothed with a gentle and quiet spirit.

Notice the metaphor of clothing is used because a woman’s nature may not be gentle or quiet, so this behaviour needs to be put on like a jacket.

The wife’s call to gentleness, submission and purity will all serve to help the relationship between the husband and wife to flourish. The opposite to all these virtues will lead to the natural breaking of the friendship which should be cultivated in marriage.

Best friends

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

Husbands and wives should be best friends.

Husbands are called to be understanding and loving with their wives, Peter speaks very plainly by saying that men are physically stronger than women and so the man needs to treat the wife with due care in light of this.

The Bible is making a very clear case against all forms of physical and verbal abuse. Men have authority in the home according to Gods plan, that power must not be abused, it must be used to serve and protect.

Husbands are called to respect their wives as fellow heirs of God’s abundant grace (this went against the Roman world where women were considered as less than men, this is still the case in many religions and cultures today).

So let all husbands and wives commit to be best friends again today, honouring one another in line with the guidelines of God’s word.

The relationship to our spouse must be carefully cherished if we want our relationship with God to be good and unhindered.

The blessing of unity

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 (ESV)

God blesses his people when they unify around his truth, we are not called to unity just for the sake of unity, as a group could be unified to do evil.

Let’s seek unity with those we work and live with in the body of Christ, our families and friends as much as that unity is not against God’s word.

Unity is a blessing, seek it today.

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 30:1–31:13, 1 Pet 2:18–25, Ps 132:1–18

Today’s Theme: Be Courageous

Today’s theme is about us taking courage in God and his word. Be courageous because we can trust God to back up his word.

Take courage in the Lord

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)

The people were so greatly distressed that they were talking about stoning David. We can learn so much from David’s response in this trying time, David strengthened himself in the Lord.

When we are going through distressing times we should turn our eyes to God, not the people around us who may be a part of the same trial we are gong through, we can’t help each other, so we should turn our eyes to the Lord and encourage ourselves in him.

Paul encourages us in Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

Ask God about it.

And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” 1 Samuel 30:8 (ESV)

David does not display foolhardy courage, his response is measured. He does not just go and run into battle, he takes time to seek God and boldly acts on God’s word.

We must not have confidence in the flesh, we are totally dependant on God and should ask God about the things we do, it is important that we press forward in courage but only with Gods guidance and covering.

Paul goes on to encourage us in Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

Exhaustion

But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor. 1 Samuel 30:10 (ESV)

The trials of life can leave us feeling exhausted, worn out and burnt out. However if the Lord is our source of strength then we will always have strength because the Lord gives an endless supply.

Jesus encourages us that in him we will never thirst in John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Jesus encourages us in Matthew 11:28–29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Don’t allow exhaustion to engulf you today, trust the Lord to strengthen and sustain you.

Recover all

Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. 1 Samuel 30:19 (ESV)

God had answered David prayer in verse 8, David acts in faith on this word and recovers all that the enemy stole.

God intends for us to recover all the enemy has taken from us but to do this we need to act in faith on his word.

This was the theme of the year 7 years ago in 2007.

Take courage for all of us

Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24 (ESV)

We are called to take courage by taking the Lord at his word and acting in faith according to that word, this will bring success but we must guard against taking the glory for ourselves leading to pride, arrogance, selfishness, unkindness and will ultimately lead to bondage and death.

As we press forward in the confidence and courage the Lord provides we do not do so in our own strength or pride, we must do so in the Spirit and so maintain a humble and kind spirit.

Your breakthrough is not just for you, as the body of Christ we are gifted for each other not for ourselves. We are blessed to be a blessing.

If God has given you victory in an area share the spoils with your brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. For example Paul teaches Galatians 6:6 “in Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Fight and win the battle for the whole team.

Risk it all for the Lord

all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 1 Samuel 31:12 (ESV)

The men of Jabesh-gilead were valiant men, they laid their lives on the line and rode all night to see the royal family honoured.

We should have a zeal for God too, a fire that burns in our belly to go all night for the Lord if we need to. Be prepared to stay up late or get up early, be prepared to risk it all for the honour of the King.

Paul commends those who risked their own lives for the sake of the mission in Romans 16:4, “who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.”

Take courage at work

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 1 Peter 2:18 (ESV)

Both our places of employment and the work we do in ministry should be done with submission to those over us which will sometimes take courage, especially if those over us are unjust.

Ask God for the courage to be a good submissive worker today. We should do all our work as unto God.

Our courageous King

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:22–23 (ESV)

Jesus courageously suffered for us, when he was reviled he did not retaliate, that takes a lot of courage. Jesus bore our sin in his body on the cross which was a horrific way to die which again took a lot of courage.

Jesus courage was in his Father the just judge. We must follow in the footsteps of our Courageous King, knowing that our suffering is not in vain, we entrust ourselves to him, this will give us the courage we need to endure.

Courageously die

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

Jesus did not die for our sins so that we would live like spineless cowards, capitulating to the ways of the world and bowing to the slave master of sins lying promises.

We are called to come and courageously die to sin and live a righteous life, read the verse again that is what it says, Jesus bore our sin so that we could actually die to sin and live in righteousness.

Don’t be a coward today, be courageous by not giving in to sin

God’s land

“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. Psalm 132:14 (ESV)

The Land of Israel is very special to God, we must take courage as we support Israel in advocacy and pray for and challenge them to embrace Jesus as the Messiah.

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 28:1–29:11, 1 Pet 2:13–17, Ps 130:1–131:3

Today’s Theme: Submit to Authority

Today’s theme is about submission to authority, that is both to God’s authority as the sovereign king and to human authorities. God calls us to be submissive to the commands of his word for the sake of his glory, for our joy and the flourishing of all people.

In our individualistic culture the idea and teaching of submission has fallen on hard times to the self destruction of society and those who throw of restraint.

Seeking without submission

And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 1 Samuel 28:6 (ESV)

Saul has demonstrated in the narrative that he is not submissive to the Lord. Anything he does that might seem good is done as a knee jerk expression of dead religion like getting rid of all mediums when Samuel died.

The lesson is simple, if we do not submit to God form the heart but instead play the game of religion, we cannot expect God to respond to our requests.

If we submit to God we can be sure that we will have the request we make of him according to his will as John tells us in 1 John 5:15 “And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

A miracle from God

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 1 Samuel 28:12 (ESV)

This was a shock to the medium who was used to calling up demons which impersonate the dead to deceive and lead astray those seeking answers.

This time it was different, there is no record that the woman did anything and her shock coupled with the affirmation of the text which says “..saw Samuel” not saw the spirit etc, point to the fact that God had worked a one off miracle and allowed the spirit of Samuel to appear which the medium was not expecting.

We see God perform this same miracle in various places in the new testament, e.g. we see Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus in Mark 9:4 and the record of Saints rising from death at the resurrection in Matthew 27:52

When God moves supernaturally the enemy is often left shocked and on the back foot like when Jesus rose from the dead… the devil never saw that coming. 1 Corinthians 2:8.

Saul did not submit to God and now he will hear the judgement of God declared by the prophet Samuel who at this point of the narrative though dead, is very much alive in a place called Abraham’s Bosom (paradise), awaiting release from captivity by the Messiah.

Submit to human authorities

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 1 Peter 2:13 (ESV)

We are not only called to submit spiritually to God. We are called to submit to the government, the police, the law of the land and any institution like a school or business that we are a part of.

Earlier we read that David submitted himself to the Philistine leaders, he was not rebellious, they were the governing authority in the land so he submitted to them.

We must not behave like rebels or hermits as Christians, as Peter encourages us, for the Lord’s sake we should be submissive to authorities.

God’s will…revealed

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:15 (ESV)

God’s will is not some great mystery. God’s essential will is found in the pages of the bible and there are places like this verse where it is said so clearly that there can be no room for confusion.

In this case God’s will is that we do good publicly by both submitting to authorities and contributing to society.

We are not called to be monks, hiding ourselves from the world around us in our own little “Christian Ghettos”, we must engage the culture and city that we have been called to be a witness in by doing good and praying for the city like we read in Jeremiah 29:7.

Here is a short list of other areas in the New Testament where we can find God’s explicit will layed out for us:

1. Our salvation in 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4
2. Sanctification and sexual purity in 1 Thessalonians 4:3
3. Salvation and protection for children Matthew 18:14
4. To give thanks to God in all circumstances in 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Of course there are many other areas where the will of God is seen in the bibles teachings and commands. God’s will is revealed throughout the bible.

God’s servants

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)

Jesus has set us free, we should use our new found freedom to joyfully serve God… not ourselves.

Wait for the Lord

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5–6 (ESV)

Our soul should wait on God, Saul did not wait on God and in his rebellion entered into witchcraft. We need to patiently, submissively yet expectantly wait for God to come through for us according to his word.

Quiet your soul

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (ESV)

Life can be so busy, we need to stop, and be quiet so that fear and anxiety do not overwhelm us and so we can hear God.

It is a forgotten but necessary and useful Christian discipline to just sit in stillness and silence before God’s word to hear God speak.

Find time to be still today as you submit to the leading of God the Holy Spirit.