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.

1 Samuel 30:1–31:13

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 going 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 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 dependent on God and should ask God about the things we do. It is important that we press forward in courage, but only with God’s 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.”

Do not 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’s 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 that 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, 8 years ago (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 in Galatians 6:6 “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.”

1 Peter 2:18–25

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 that 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 and that takes a lot of courage. Jesus bore our sin in His body, on the cross, which was a horrific way to die and 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 sin’s 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.

Do not be a coward today, be courageous by not giving in to sin.

Psalm 132:1–18

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.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Peter 2

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 to both 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 off restraint.

1 Samuel 28:1–29:11

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 from the heart or if we 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 that 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.

1 Peter 2:13–17

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.

As Christians we must not behave like rebels or hermits. 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 as 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 laid 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 bible’s 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.

Psalm 130:1–131:3

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

It is a forgotten, but necessary and useful Christian discipline, to 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.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 2

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 26:1–27:12, 1 Pet 2:1–12, Ps 128:1–129:8

Today’s Theme: God’s chosen people

Today’s theme is about God’s elect and chosen people. We are one new man in Christ, consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, from all cultures and walks of life. We are the body of Christ, the true Church for whom Christ suffered and died. As God’s people, we are blessed and kept by God, we are also called to live in God’s ways according to His word.

1 Samuel 26:1–27:12

God at work for His people

So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them. 1 Samuel 26:12 (ESV)

As we read about the brave and noble exploits of David, we see that he was not alone, God had orchestrated that everyone in the camp was in a deep sleep.

We can rely on the Lord today, to put the enemy in a deep sleep so that we can accomplish the tasks that God has set before us.

Unlike the enemy who God caused to sleep, we are called to be alert, awake and sober as God’s people.

Paul captures this in 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation”.

You reap what you plant

The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 1 Samuel 26:23 (ESV)

David’s understanding of God’s ways is right. The bible teaches us that whatever someone plants is what they will reap. This is why as God’s people, we are called to live in accordance with God’s word.

Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Also see John 4:36 and 2 Corinthians 9:6

We must determine to do what is right today, even when it seems like we have a right to do what is wrong, we must chose to plant righteous seeds by doing what is right. God rewards us with fruitfulness if we remain faithful.

Walk in wisdom

And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.” 1 Samuel 27:12 (ESV)

Like David, we are called to walk in wisdom as God’s people, to outsiders. Paul mentions this in Colossians 4:5–6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Jesus warns us in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

1 Peter 2:1–12

Drink milk to grow

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

Peter has been talking to us about our new birth in Christ. With this in mind, he calls for us to have a desire for the sincere milk of God’s word, to grow by it, like babies who need to drink milk in order to grow.

When Peter talks about this spiritual milk, he is not only speaking about the bible, he is talking about deliberate Christian conduct. In the previous verse, we read about putting away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. This is basic conduct for God’s people and living in this way, is like drinking milk as a baby in Christ, it will cause us to grow.

The purpose of the new birth is to restore relationship between God and man, but also between people. The vices listed in verse 1 destroys communities and relationships, so we need to put those things off, if we want to grow as God’s people.

Precious people

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 1 Peter 2:4 (ESV)

In God’s eyes, we as God’s people, are chosen and precious and this is not because of anything that we have done or can do. Thank God today that He sees you as precious, we need to see God and one another as precious also.

God has made you His treasure, you should make God your most prized treasure too.

God’s own possession

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

This verse should fill us with great encouragement. We as God’s people, who obey His word, are a chosen and holy nation. We are no longer just one physical nation, we are now a spiritual nation consisting of Jews and gentiles. We are a royal priesthood, replacing the Levitical priesthood.

We have been called to be God’s people for a particular purpose and it is made clear here; it is to proclaim the truth and wonder of God, through the Gospel, that God would be glorified.

We have been chosen to bring glory to God through the proclamation of the Gospel.

Psalm 128:1–129:8

Blessed at work and home

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:2 (ESV)

As God’s people, walking in the reverential fear of the Lord, God will bless us in the work that we do, literally at our place of work. The blessings will also be seen in our family relationships and with our children. Thank God that as His chosen people, we are blessed.

Jesus suffered for His people

The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” Psalm 129:3 (ESV)

Jesus suffered and died for His people, this prophecy is regarding the beating He received, which left His back looking like a ploughed field after being beaten by the Romans. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice of love for us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Peter 2

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 24:1–25:44, 1 Pet 1:20–25, Ps 125:1–127:5

Today’s Theme: Godly Character

Today’s theme is about us having godly character as Christians. As Pastor Dennis always says, “we must not let our gift take us where our character cannot keep us”.

1 Samuel 24:1–25:44

Godly character and leadership

Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 1 Samuel 24:10 (ESV)

David showed true leadership by not listening to the wrong advice of those around him, as opposed to Saul whom, as we have read, listened to those around him saying that David is against him. David’s heart was to honour God and His ways.

We need to listen to God and His word, we should obey God’s word rather than the ways of the world around us or the advice of those closest to us.

The first commandment is to put God first. Like David, let us determine to do things in God’s way, according to God’s word. See Romans 12:2

Using discretion

And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 1 Samuel 25:32–33 (ESV)

Abigail was a wise woman, full of faith and discretion. Through her intervention, David was saved from making a big mistake.

‘Discretion’ which simply means that someone “knows how to act in particular situations”, has diminished in our times. In today’s world, people are so self-centred that discretion has very little significance, instead people now say and do whatever they want, whenever they want.

As Christians we should exercise discretion like Abigail. Paul comments on us using discretion in Colossians 4:5, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Also see Ephesians 5:15-17.

Discretion is a mark of maturity and godly Christian character.

1 Peter 1:20–25

Foreknown by God

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 1 Peter 1:20 (ESV)

When we read the word ‘foreknow’, we may start to think about knowing something ahead of time, which is true, but in this context the word is really more to do with prior relationship and intimacy.

The following definitions are from the Bible Sense Lexicon (these are all from root words which are verbs):

1. To foreknow (personally): to befriend or be acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
2. To be foreknown (personally): to be or become friendly or acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
3. To foreknow: to have (experiential) knowledge of some event before the occurrence.
4. To know formerly: to have (experiential) knowledge of someone or something from the past.

This word is used in context to Jesus who has been in an eternal, loving relationship with His Father and is used when the bible is talking about us, who God in His heart, knew intimately before the world began.

Obedience to the truth

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

Our faith and hope are in God, and because our faith is genuine, we use our faith to obey the truth of God’s word, which in turn purifies our souls.

Obedience to the truth of God’s word, shows godly character and maturity in the faith.

When we get the fundaments of faith in God and obedience to God, laid as a foundation in our lives, then we can build on that with acts of sincere love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We need to make an effort to show love, that is why Peter says we should show it earnestly.

A sure salvation

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV)

The Gospel we have heard, which we have believed and obeyed, is sure and eternal. God foreknew us and Jesus our saviour. God’s own character means His word is eternal.

We can have confidence that God has saved us eternally, we can trust God and His word, through which we have been born again.

Psalm 125:1–127:5

God surrounds us

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:2 (ESV)

God gives us security like the hills around Jerusalem give the city security in times of war. We can have full assurance in the salvation that God provides.

Do good, receive good

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! Psalm 125:4 (ESV)

As we walk in the goodness of godly Christian character, we receive good things from God.

Sleep and Children

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 (ESV)

Both good sleep and children come from the Lord, although children may affect your sleep! (smile)

Rest in God today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 22:1–23:29, 1 Pet 1:13–19, Ps 123:1–124:8

Today’s Theme: Holy Living

Today’s theme is Living Holy. Our God is Holy and He calls us to be holy in all that we do.

1 Samuel 22:1–23:29

Honour your mother and father

And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 1 Samuel 22:3 (ESV)

Much of what we must do to live a holy life, does not appear to be deeply spiritual. Holy living often finds its expression in very practical works of obedience.

David shows his heart for his parents and his desire to obey the 5th commandment, to honour his father and mother, by seeking their protection.

We must obey the 5th commandment no matter how old we are. Our culture in the West can leave the older members of our families feeling unloved and like  a burden. We as God’s people should not live in this self-centred way, we should honour our parents. See Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20

Ask God about it

Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” 1 Samuel 23:4 (ESV)

A key to living a holy life before God is to ask God about everything you do. Prayer simply means to ask. We must ask God about the things we do in our everyday lives.

David always prayed about everything he had to do, this was because he had a loving relationship with God, which is testified by God Himself and the Psalms that David wrote.

Jesus told us in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

1 Peter 1:13–19

Prepare your mind for action

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

The mind is a muscle, it needs to be exercised. The mind is also a container, it needs to be filled with good things.

The Devil would like us to think of the mind as his domain and so not exercise it in the study, meditation and living of God’s word. He would also like us to fill our minds with garbage at best and poison at worst, through evil teaching, wrong thinking and the philosophies of this world.

Peter in his great call to holiness, in the life of the Christian, first calls us to get our minds ready for trials and hard times, by commanding us to hope. We are not to have an aimless hope but should put our hope in God’s future grace promised to believers, in Jesus. This will be realised at the second coming.

Looking forward in our hearts and minds, to the second coming of Christ will give us perspective as we face difficulty. We can endure in holiness because of the grace we are promised in the future.

Be Holy

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 1 Peter 1:15 (ESV)

Our motivation for pursuing a life of holiness is God, God is holy so we should be holy in all our conduct too.

Holiness is not some spiritual state which has nothing to do with other areas of our lives, it is very much connected to our everyday lives. In our normal conduct, we must remain set apart for God.

A definition of holiness will be useful to help us think about what it means to be holy. Here is a short one from the Pocket dictionary of theological terms, by InterVarsity Press:

“A biblical term generally meaning “to be set apart.” The term is used widely in Scripture to refer to a variety of people and objects alike but ultimately points to God as the one who is qualitatively different or set apart from creation. Holy may also be used to describe someone or something that God has “set apart” for special purposes. In the NT holiness takes on the sense of ethical purity or freedom from sin…”.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be holy.

Psalm 123:1–124:8

Look to God

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. Psalm 123:2 (ESV)

We look to God, our Master and Provider, to show us the mercy we so desperately need.

We have escaped

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124:7 (ESV)

We have escaped the hunter’s trap… Hallelujah! Now let us live holy lives in the joy and hope of God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Peter 1