Humility is a Super-Power

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 85

I am convinced humility is a super-power. I believe it was former President Harry Truman who once said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I believe him. It’s certainly squares with my experience. When I have been willing to lay aside pride and ego, the impact of whatever is accomplished grows exponentially. When I have been willing to relinquish my rights for the sake of others, especially those in less powerful positions, all kinds of new opportunities emerge. When I have been willing to let go of control and work collaboratively and share authority and extend freedom, we reach heights I’ve never dreamed possible.

Imagine what could have happened if Nabal had welcomed David’s servants? Imagine if he had honored David for protecting his men when they were grazing his flocks in the wilderness? Imagine if he had been open rather than closed? Generous rather than selfish? Imagine if he had extended hospitality rather than close his doors? Tragically, Nabal chose the path of pride rather than humility and it eventually cost him his life. He hardened his heart and fell under God’s judgment. His choices almost led to a violence conflict and it was only the humility of his wife, Abigail, who averted a war. Abigail turned aside David’s anger by showing humility. She was generous and open-handed with him, interceding on behalf of her stubborn husband. She took matters into her own hands and intervened in order to stave off disaster and God honored her for her sacrifice.

You can live life in one of two directions. Either you will say to God, “Thy will be done” or God will say to you, “thy will be done.” You will either humble yourself before the Lord and live generously and open-handedly or you will harden your heart and live pridefully and selfishly. There really is no middle ground. Those who choose the latter path find themselves on the same trajectory as Nabal. Their hearts eventually turn to stone and they die with no one to mourn their passing. Those who choose the former path find themselves on the same trajectory as Abigail. Their lives are rich and full and when they pass, many come to mourn them. Which path do you find yourself on today? Is your heart softening towards God? Are you becoming more generous and more humble with each passing year? Is your heart hardening towards God? Do you find yourself becoming more selfish and prideful with each passing year?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 28-31, Psalms 86

Open Hands

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 84

One of the most important things I have learned in life is to walk with open hands before the Lord but it is not easy. In order to do this, one has to set aside their anxieties and fears. One has to relinquish their ego and pride. One has to give up control over their life. I will tell you I didn’t do this willingly. God took me through an extremely painful season to get me to unclench my fists. Once I did, I found a freedom and a joy and a peace that I had hadn’t experienced since my initial conversion. I discovered I had more energy than I thought possible. All kinds of new opportunities and new experiences opened up to me that I would never have considered before. All because I finally surrendered to God.

In our reading today, we see a stark contrast between Saul who is trying like crazy to hold onto his kingdom and David, who is walking with an open heart before the Lord. Saul knows his days are numbered so he does all he can to tighten his grip. He is paranoid. He seeks to eliminate every single possible threat. And the more he clenches his fist, the more the kingdom slips through his fingers. It’s like trying to hold onto water or sand. David, on the other hand, is living in the freedom of the Lord. Though he’s been promised the kingdom, he trusts God with the timing. He maintains his integrity and refuses to raise his hand against God’s anointed king. Even when given the opportunity to strike, David stays his hand. Jonathan also walks with open hands as well. He is the rightful heir to the throne but he doesn’t hold onto it. He refuses to allow his ego to get in the way. He acknowledges David’s rightful claim and even promises to serve at David’s right hand. What a powerful example of humility and relinquishment!

Do you walk with open hands before the Lord? Do you consciously and regularly surrender all your time and energy and resources to Him? Do you give Him control over your life? On the flip side, where are you holding on too tight? What areas of your life are you refusing to relinquish? Where has your ego taken hold and can you let go? These are important questions to ponder and pray over as we think about our relationships in every sphere of life from the home to our extended family to our work to our lifestyle to our faith.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 85

God Looks on the Heart

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 15-17, Psalms 82

What does God see when He looks on your heart? Does He see a heart full of devotion or a heart that’s divided? Does He see a heart that is humble and willing and obedient or a heart that is prideful and resistant and oriented more around self? Does He see a heart full of love and grace or a heart full of anger and hate? Does He see a heart that is quick to forgive or quick to judge? How is your heart? Have you spent intentional time cultivating a heart after God or have you ignored or neglected your heart along the way?

1 Samuel 16:7 is one of my favorite verses in all the Bible. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What does it mean to love God with a “whole” heart? To be fully devoted to Him? To make Him our first love? Does it mean outward, physical perfection? King Saul literally stood head and shoulders above his countrymen. (1 Sam. 10:23) Eliab, David’s older brother, clearly was an impressive physical specimen. (1 Sam. 16:6) Does it mean achievement or success? I am sure God could easily have lined up a hundred other men who had accomplished a heck of a lot more than David. Is it based on wealth or privilege? Or perhaps great moral character? What kind of heart does God treasure in a man or woman? The key is found in 1 Sam. 15:22-23 CSB, ”Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.” Humility. Submission. Obedience. These are the qualities on which God places supreme value. So are we willing to listen? Willing to follow? Willing to surrender our plans in favor of God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to trust God even when our circumstances seem bleak? Are we willing to obey even when it’s hard? 

As we’ve read yesterday and today, King Saul was a half-hearted man. Though he was chosen by God and instructed by Samuel in the “rights and duties” of godly kingship, his heart was divided. At times, Saul was faithful and found great success. At other times, he was unfaithful and found only heartbreak. The unlawful sacrifice at Gilgal. A rash vow during the heat of battle. A refusal to devote the Amalekites to destruction. These events illustrate the half-hearted devotion Saul paid to God and it eventually cost him everything. The kingdom was literally ripped from his hands. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. And he ended up tormented and paranoid. 

King David was a whole-hearted man. As we will see, David was a man after God’s own heart but this doesn’t make him perfect. His failures are massive and significant and costly. But through it all, the one thing David does is keep seeking after God. David keeps humbling himself before God. David keeps returning to God in repentance. And God loves David. Honors David. Promises to give the throne to his descendents for generations.  

So time to take stock. Time to step back and honestly examine your own heart. Are you half-hearted or whole-hearted in your devotion to Jesus? We’ve already seen that it doesn’t necessarily depend on our outward appearance or achievement or actions. We can’t count on the image we project to the world to save us. We have to be strong and courageous enough to take the inward journey into the heart. What do you find there? What will God see when He looks at you?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 18-20, Psalms 83 (No devotionals on Sundays)

What Drives You?

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 81

There is a lot being written today about what drives human beings to do the things they do. Ever since the Enlightenment, we’ve been living under the illusion that we are rational creatures. As Rene Descartes famously put it, “I think therefore I am.” But many are now questioning this fundamental assumption because of the overwhelming evidence that it’s simply not true. Human beings seem to be enslaved to their desires. Base emotions at the core of their being drive them to make all kinds of decisions, many of which are not rational or objective or based on facts. It’s why human progress is a myth. We’ve been chasing things like justice and righteousness and honesty and truth for thousands of years but seem no closer to realizing them in human society. Over and over again, we regress to power, corruption, greed, selfishness, etc. and our minds work overtime to “rationalize” our choices to make them seem more logical than they are.

In my personal and professional experience, I find many people are driven by fear. They experience trauma or pain or suffering at a young age and they make a determination deep down never to allow themselves to be put in that position ever again. I think of people I know who suffered from food insecurity as children who, even though they make plenty of money now, always feel the need to keep their refrigerators, freezers, and pantries overflowing. I think of people I know who’ve been abused who vow deep down never to make themselves vulnerable again and sabotage relationship after relationship. I think of people I know who experienced significant failure or saw someone they loved impacted by another person’s failure and spend their lives chasing success at every turn. I think of myself and what drives me. I have all kinds of motivations that were warped and twisted by my experience growing up in an alcoholic home. I have to check myself all the time so that I don’t relapse into unhealthy behaviors and bad decisions.

King Saul was a man driven by fear. He was afraid of losing his influence over the people of Israel so when they begin to desert him at Gilgal, he responds in fear and offers an unlawful sacrifice. Then he overcorrects and makes a rash vow that almost costs him the life of his son. As we continue his story in the days ahead, we will see Saul give into all kinds of envy and jealousy. His fragile ego and desire to protect himself at all costs will eventually cost him not only his kingdom but also his life. That’s what happens when we are driven by fear. The more we try to tighten our grip, the more what we hold most dear slips through our fingers.

God wants us to be driven by faith. God wants us to trust in Him alone. When Samuel confronts Saul, he talks to him about his heart. The issue has less to do with the sacrifice and more to do with Saul’s failure to love God. “Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬) So again, let me press the question. What drives you? What motivates you to make the decisions you make? Take the actions you take? Make the plans you’ve made? Are they driven by faith or by something else?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 15-17, Psalms 82

Handling Rejection

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 80

Raise your hand if you like rejection? That’s what I thought. No one does. I hate it. Over the course of my life, I’ve been rejected by girls I’ve asked out. Colleges I wanted to attend. Promotions I thought I’d earned. I was rejected by the first seminary I applied to and countless numbers of churches I contacted when I was graduating from seminary looking for a pastoral position. I’ve had ideas rejected that I believed would rejuvenate dying ministries. I’ve had visions rejected that I believed would transform the church. I’ve been personally rejected by congregational members whom I disappointed for some reason along the way. None of it’s easy. All of it hurts. Perhaps that’s why I like Samuel so much. He struggles with rejection as well. 

Samuel is as faithful a man as it gets in the Bible. A man who dedicates his whole life to serving God and His people. Samuel has judged Israel for decades. Given his heart and soul to them. He has led them in war and in peace. Through seedtime and harvest. In every season of life, he has been there for them. Faithfully praying for them. Faithfully serving them. Faithfully loving them and pointing them back to Yahweh. But now that he’s old, they reject him. Or at least that’s how he feels. “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." (1 Samuel 8:6 CSB) He knew the shortcomings of his sons. He knew they didn’t walk in his ways. That didn’t make their words sting any less. Samuel experienced Israel’s desire for a king as a repudiation of all he had accomplished over the course of his life. That’s a hard place to be. 

But Samuel doesn’t just look to the opinions of people. He also looks to God. And in the midst of his disappointment, he does this extraordinary thing...he prays. And as he prays, God changes his perspective. “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way. Above all, fear the Lord and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) Samuel had indeed judged Israel well for years but God had done so for centuries. Samuel had indeed led them in war and in peace but God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt, led them through the wilderness, conquered the Promised Land, and been faithful to them even in the midst of their unfaithfulness. Samuel had given his heart and soul to them but it was nothing compared to what God had done for them so even here at the end of his career, in the midst of his disappointment, Samuel remains faithful.  

Where have you been disappointed in your life? Rejected? Betrayed? How did you respond? God calls Samuel to not only forgive but to actually anoint Israel’s new king. Who is God calling you to forgive? And how is God calling you to take the next step?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-14, Psalms 81

The Emptiness of Idols

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 79

John Calvin once said the human heart is a factory for idols. We produce them at a rapid, almost continuous clip. Unwilling to allow God to be God, we try to cut Him down to our size. We try to remake Him in our own image. We try to reduce Him to a level we can understand or comprehend. Even worse, we try to control Him or manage Him or compel Him to act on our behalf. We make deals with God. We try to bargain with God. We treat God as if He’s somehow owes us something in return for our obedience. It’s all nonsense, of course. The idols we create for ourselves, whether they take the shape of a statue or totem or some other sacred object or they are just an idea in our minds, are empty. They are worthless. They hold no power whatsoever which is why God hates them. He hates what such idols do to us. Do to our conception of God. Do to our understanding of God. Do to our faith in God. Idols warp and corrupt and pervert our relationship with God which is why the Bible is full of warnings against them. They are dangerous. They place us at great risk. Those who trust in them find only death and despair.

Ancient Israel was an idolatrous nation under the corrupt leadership of Eli and his sons. They treated the Ark of the Covenant like a sacred totem. They believed it gave them power. They believed it represented God. So when they are being oppressed by their enemies, they send it into battle assuming it will guarantee them a victory. Tragically, they find out it’s just a nice box. It has no power of its own. They are routed in battle as God exposes the emptiness of their idolatry. Of course, the Philistines make the same mistake. They believe the Ark has great significance as well which is why they bring it before the idol of their own god, Dagon. Once again, God exposes the emptiness of their idolatry by cutting off Dagon’s head and hands and forcing him to bow before the Lord. Furthermore, He sends a plague and oppresses the Philistines, thereby showing He has no need of idols to do His work. He has no need of a people to do His work. God’s power is not bound by anything or anyone in this world. He will accomplish His will according to His purposes. And soon, the Philistines send the Ark back home where it belongs.

Can you identify the idols in your own life? They will be the things you hold more dear than God Himself. It could be something bad for you like an addiction or a dysfunction or an unhealthy pattern of behavior that you refuse to deal with or let go of. It could be a good thing in your life that you’ve elevated to an ultimate thing like your spouse or your children or your job or your lifestyle. What do you believe you simply could not live without? What do you believe is too much to give up, even to God? What gives you nightmares at the thought of losing it? What are you most protective of? What makes you most anxious and afraid? These are great questions to reflect on as you ponder where you’ve allowed idolatry to creep into your heart. Once you’ve identified your idols, surrender them to the Lord. Do what the Israelites did under Samuel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the Lord, and worship only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths and only worshiped the Lord.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12, Psalms 80

I Surrender All

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3, Psalms 78

This past Sunday we sang the song, “I Surrender All” in worship. It’s a simply yet powerful tune with a deeply, challenging message. Do I surrender all? Am I willing to surrender all? What would “surrendering all” actually look like in my life? I think of all the things I hold dear. Personally, I think of my time and money. Relationally, I think of my wife and children and family and friendships. Vocationally, I think of my work as a pastor, my teaching as a professor, and my mission work. Am I willing to surrender all in any of these categories? Am I willing to give God all my time or do I want to withhold some for myself? Am I willing to give God all my money or do I want to make sure I reserve enough to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle? Am I willing to give God my wife and children, trusting He loves them far more than I do, and set them free to serve Him in whatever way He calls or do I seek to control them or shame them or bend them to what I want for their lives? What about my family and friendships? Do I surrender them to God by seeking to serve rather than be served? What about my vocation? Am I willing to give it up or do I hold on too tight? All these things are worth pondering as we read through the chapters assigned for today.

Hannah is an amazing example of faith. She truly “surrenders all” when she offers Samuel to God. Barrenness was considered one of the worst experiences a woman could experience in ancient times. One of the primary ways women added value to society was through child-bearing, especially the bearing of sons. Though Hannah’s husband loved and provided for her abundantly, she was heartbroken over her inability to provide him a child. She could have responded in all sorts of ways to her condition but because of her deep faith, she turned to the Lord. She prayed so fervently that the high priest thought she was drunk. When God answered her prayer, she was faced with another decision. Would she follow through? Would she surrender her firstborn son with no guarantees she would have any more children? Imagine the faith it took to take such a step? Imagine the sadness she must have felt when she weaned Samuel and gave him to Eli? Imagine her having to walk away from the Tabernacle and go back home to an empty tent yet again? This is an example of what it truly means to surrender all.

What about you? What does surrender look like in your life? Where are you on the journey of surrendering all to God? I have been walking with the Lord for over thirty years now and I find God demanding more and more of my life not less. I find Him demanding more of my time, more of my money, more of my attention, more of my heart. And, if I am honest, I sometimes struggle to give him what He demands. But every time I do, I find myself experiencing all kinds of blessing. In fact, I find myself receiving back from God more than what I give and it only reinforces what Hannah and so many saints have learned throughout history. You simply cannot out-give God. You cannot out-give the One who surrendered all for us in Jesus Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8, Psalms 79

Importance of Waiting on God

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 28-31, 1 Chronicles 10

Why do we wait on God? Why is it important to wait for God to move? God to speak? God to act? What does the fruit of a life look like when one waits on God? Today, we see it played out in stark terms. On the one hand, Saul refuses to wait on God and loses his life as a result. On the other hand, David does wait on God and is given a great victory. What a contrast!

Listen again to their stories. “Saul prayed to God, but God didn’t answer—neither by dream nor by sign nor by prophet. So Saul ordered his officials, “Find me someone who can call up spirits so I may go and seek counsel from those spirits.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭28‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG)‬‬ This isn’t the first time Saul has gotten impatient. In fact, impatience seems to be the theme of his life. He will only wait for God so long. He will only wait for God while it’s convenient. He will only wait for God as long as he gets the answer he’s looking for. This is why the kingdom has been torn from his grasp. He didn’t wait for God but made an unlawful sacrifice. He didn’t obey God when He gave him the victory over his enemies. Over and over again, Saul compromises and now it will cost him his life, the life of his sons, and lives of many of those who followed him. “The Philistines made war on Israel. The men of Israel were in full retreat from the Philistines, falling left and right, wounded on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines caught up with Saul and his sons. They killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, Saul’s sons. The battle was hot and heavy around Saul. The archers got his range and wounded him badly. Saul said to his weapon bearer, “Draw your sword and put me out of my misery, lest these pagan pigs come and make a game out of killing me.” But his weapon bearer wouldn’t do it. He was terrified. So Saul took the sword himself and fell on it. When the weapon bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, and his weapon bearer—the men closest to him—died together that day.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

David, on the other hand, patiently waited on God. He trusted God for His provision and protection. Believed God would prove faithful no matter what. Think of the challenge David faces in our reading today. His city has been raided and destroyed. His family and the families of those he loves have been captured and perhaps killed. He could have given into fear and the infighting among his own men. David’s life hangs on the edge here and still he waits on God. “David and his men burst out in loud wails—wept and wept until they were exhausted with weeping. David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken prisoner along with the rest. And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him. David strengthened himself with trust in his God. He ordered Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the Ephod so I can consult God.” Abiathar brought it to David. Then David prayed to God, “Shall I go after these raiders? Can I catch them?” The answer came, “Go after them! Yes, you’ll catch them! Yes, you’ll make the rescue!” (1 Samuel‬ ‭30‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬) What a powerful testimony! What a faithful witness! Is it any wonder David’s men were so inspired by his leadership? So willing to follow him and lay their lives down for him? They knew David’s heart. They could see David’s faith. They trusted David because he trusted God.

This is the key to godly leadership. The key to godly living. Wait on God. Wait for Him to speak. Wait for Him to act. Wait for Him to show you the way. Resist the temptation to take matters into your own hands. Resist the temptation to place conditions on God. Resist the temptation to try to force God’s hand or make Him work according to your timeline. Don’t limit God! Instead, open your heart and your mind and your hands to the wonders He will do in you and through you. After all, He has promised to do far more than you can ever ask or imagine!

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

Waiting on God

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 91

Imagine having everything you ever wanted within your grasp? Position. Power. Peace. You have the opportunity with a single stroke to bring it about. Imagine spending your life defending yourself against injustice. On the run for crimes you did not commit. Falsely accused by your enemy. And now you have the chance to end it. All you have to do is take matters into your own hands. A sudden strike in the darkness and you could lay hold of all God had promised. 

The temptation to bring about the will of God in our own way and own time is very real. David faced it in the cave when Saul came in to relieve himself. Jesus faced it in the wilderness when the enemy offered him all the kingdoms of the world without the cross. You and I face it everyday as well in big and small ways. Yes, we know the will of God for our lives. We know His Word. We know His Truth. We know His Law. We know what He desires for us. But we get impatient. We get frustrated. We get anxious. We get afraid. And in our fear, we take matters into our own hands. 

I remember vividly sitting down at a coffee shop one morning in Sun Prairie, WI. Kristi and I had been seeking God’s will for many months. God had led us to resign from a difficult and painful ministry position. He had led us to a great church family who welcomed us in to help us heal. He had provided a sixty day severance package that we lived on while we waited for Him to reveal what was next. Through a mutual friend, God had connected us to a church in Parker, CO that was just beginning their search for a new senior pastor. But these things take time and I was growing anxious. I was afraid. The church in Parker was literally my only job prospect. I had no other options. How would I feed my family if it fell through? How would I pay the rent? Was my career in ministry over? Was it time to go do something else? All these thoughts ran through my head as the weeks passed and the wheels of the search process slowly turned. I was getting about two to three hours of sleep a night. I would pace the hours away praying and crying out to God. 

One Saturday evening, I made up my mind. Enough was enough. I needed to expand my search. I needed to look at other ministry positions. I needed more options. So I told Kristi I would start looking the next morning. She and I went to bed. She tossed and turned all night, suffering from the sudden onset of a migraine. I did my normal pacing routine. We were both deeply unsettled. Eventually, morning dawned. I showered. Got dressed. Headed over to the coffee shop, laptop in hand to begin my day. I ordered my regular cup of black coffee. Sat down at my favorite table. Opened up the browser on my computer. Just as I went to type, I heard the word “NO” in my mind. It was clear. It was loud. It was startling. I looked around. Shook my head. Went to type. Again came the word...”NO!” This time I jumped a little. I looked around again. No one else was in the shop. Just me and the barista who was in the back. So I tried a third time to type. “NO!” I sat back. I looked out the window. I knew it was the Lord. Calling me to trust. Calling me to be patient. Calling me to wait on Him to reveal His will rather than make my own plans. I called Kristi. Told her what had happened. Told her God wasn’t allowing me to apply to any other positions and that we just needed to wait for Him to reveal what would happen with the church in Parker. Immediately she felt the pain from her migraine lift and relief flood her body. It was frankly one of the most incredible moments in our lives. 

In today’s reading, we run across these beautiful verses from Psalm 91…“If you’ll hold on to Me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust Me. Call Me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!” (Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬) Friends, God can be trusted. God is always faithful. He will not let you go nor let you down. At the same time, we have to remember God’s ways are not our ways. All of us would have counseled David to take Saul’s life in the cave that day. Put an end to the running. Put an end to the civil war. Kill your enemy and take your rightful place on the throne of Israel. All of us would have counseled Jesus to avoid the cross. To accept the deal the devil was offering. Accomplish all the Father has sent You to do without the suffering and pain. We all compromise. We all rationalize. We all have our excuses for why we don’t follow the will of God. Why we don’t walk in His ways. Why we don’t wait on His timing. The reality is we are always looking out for number one. We are always looking out for our own interests first before we look to the interests of others, even the interests of God! But David was a man after God’s own heart. He refused to take matters into his own hands. He refused to lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed even though Saul was an evil and corrupt king. He trusted all God had promised would be fulfilled in God’s time and in God’s way. Just like Jesus did in the wilderness. Just like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Just like Jesus did on the cross.

Readings for tomorrow: None

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalms 59

Everyone loves the story of David and Goliath. David is the ultimate underdog going up against an overwhelming opponent. David represents the powerless overthrowing the powerful. The oppressed rising up against their oppressor. The weak and vulnerable finding the courage to fight back against the strong and tyrannical. He represents anyone who’s ever felt marginalized, ostracized, persecuted or put down. And that’s why we love it so much. It’s also why we use it to describe upsets in sports or elections or even the clash of nation states in global diplomacy.

Of course, as is so often the case, we miss the main point of the story. The story is not about David. It’s not about “slaying our giants.” It’s not about overcoming obstacles or adversity. It’s about God intervening to make His name known and bring glory to Himself. Listen to how David describes it again, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he’s handing you to us on a platter!” (1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭45‬-‭47‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

The battle belongs to the Lord. God is handing you over to me. I fight you in the name of the Lord of hosts. David clearly understands this fight has nothing to do with him. He’s just the instrument God will use to bring about a victory. David doesn’t need Saul’s armor. Doesn’t need a sword or shield. He fights using the same tools of the trade that preserved him in the wilderness as he watched over his father’s flocks. A shepherd’s staff. A sling. Some stones. David’s confidence is not in his accuracy. Not in his agility. Not in his strength. David has complete confidence in God as he goes out to fight his enemy. And he is confident God will bring about the victory so the whole earth will know there’s an extraordinary God in Israel.

Fast forward several hundred years. David’s descendent fights a battle in a garden called Gethsemane. His fight is not against flesh and blood. It’s against an enemy far more powerful and malevolent than a ten foot giant. Jesus is contending with the devil himself. Battling through prayer and anxiety as He begins His journey towards Golgotha. Like his forefather, David, Jesus doesn’t place His trust in Himself but in His Heavenly Father. He knows His sacrifice is necessary to save the world from the tyranny of sin and death. He knows His victory will bring glory to His Father and the whole world will marvel at the great thing God has done in sending His only begotten Son. Today is Good Friday and this is what we celebrate. The victory of God Himself over the principalities and powers of this dark world.

Friends, God is still fighting on our behalf. Though the victory has been won and the decisive blow has been struck, the enemy will not go quietly in defeat. He still prowls around like a lion looking to devour everyone he can before he finally falls. Thankfully, we do not need to be afraid. We do not need to be anxious for the Lord of hosts is on our side! The great God of Israel is still fighting our battles and bringing glory to His great name!

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 91

The Cost of Unfaithfulness

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-16

When we left off yesterday, Samuel tells the people to “fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily.” (1 Samuel 12:24 MSG) Essentially, give God your whole heart. King or no king. Judge or no judge. Ruler or no ruler. Give God the worship He deserves and the worship He demands and things will go well with you. Samuel was speaking as much to the new king, Saul, as he was to everyone else. But Saul was a half-hearted man. He refused to take God seriously. He didn’t fear the Lord or worship Him honestly from the heart. He compromised. He let the king of Amalek and the best of the livestock live rather than devote them to destruction as God commanded. He acted out of fear rather than faith. He refused to wait on God at Gilgal and, as a result, placed his kingdom in jeopardy. He was rash rather than wise. He took a vow to not eat rather than sustain his men with food after a hard day of fighting.

Saul never did grasp the key to holy living. It’s found in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 MSG. “Do you think all God wants are sacrifices - empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to Him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said “no” to God’s command, He says “no” to your kingship.” We would do well to learn from Saul’s poor example.

I can’t tell you the number of Christians I know who worship him only occasionally. Usually when they have nothing “better” to do. I can’t tell you the number of Christians I know who go through the motions in worship. They’ve told me they don’t really believe but attend worship out of some kind of feeling of existential guilt. I can’t tell you the number of Christians who merge pagan or occult or cultural religious traditions with their worship, creating a syncretized religion that is sub-Christian at best. And then there are the many Christians I know who have merged their faith with their politics or social leanings. I don’t say these things in judgment but simply as data points collected over almost thirty years of ministry. And the truly tragic part is that so many of these people that I love have to eventually face the consequences of their unfaithfulness and it is costly. Sometimes it costs them their marriages. Sometimes it’s their family. Sometimes it’s their friendships or community. In almost every case it costs them their integrity. It’s heartbreaking.

What about us? In what ways have we broken faith with God? Remember, He doesn’t just look on the outward appearance. He looks to the heart. What does He see when He looks into your heart?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalms 59

The Danger of Politics

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12

We want a king. We want to be just like the nations around us. We want to play the world’s game by the world’s rules. We cannot break ourselves of our dependence on temporal power and wealth and influence. God delivers us. God saves us. God works miracles on our behalf. He provides for us. He protects us. He guides us. He nurtures us. But it is not enough. It wasn’t enough for Israel and it’s not enough for many Christians living in America today. Instead, we pursue political power. We chase wealth and influence. We place our trust in human beings or political parties or the next election cycle. We compromise our witness by supporting those of questionable character and selfish motives. We believe the ends justify the means. And the results are tragic. Society descends into chaos and confusion. Every one does what is right in their own eyes. We sacrifice freedom for tyranny. Truth for lies. Peace for violence. Grace and love for vengeance and hatred.

The same thing happened in Samuel’s day. Though Samuel had led them well over the course of his lifetime and though God had provided victory after victory under his leadership, it was not enough. Though God had been faithful to raise up deliverer after deliverer throughout her history, the people still turned back to their sinful ways. They refused to remain faithful to God. They refused to trust God and walk in His ways. They refused to obey God and His commands. The result was continual cycles of fear and anxiety and injustice and oppression. Now a new threat appears on the horizon and Samuel is old. Rather than turn to God, the people call for a king. A strongman to save them. A warlord to lead them into battle and deliver them. They want to be just like the nations around them. Playing the world’s games by the world’s rules. It’s heartbreaking.

Thankfully, God is gracious. Though His people have rejected Him, He will not reject them. Samuel says, “When you saw Nahash, king of the Ammonites, you said to me, ‘No more of this. We want a king to lead us.’ And God was already your king! So here’s the king you wanted, the king you asked for. God has let you have your own way, given you a king. If you fear God, worship and obey Him, and don’t rebel against what He tells you. If both you and your king follow God, no problem. God will be sure to save you. But if you don’t obey Him and rebel against what He tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.” (1 Samuel 12:12-15 MSG) God does what He consistently does throughout the Scriptures. He speaks to us in a language we can understand. He uses the cultural forms and norms of our day to bring about His will and His way. Yes, the people of the ancient near east all had kings and though God wanted Israel to look to Him as king, He was gracious and condescends to their weakness. He gives them what they want and promises to work through this new political/social structure as long as they remain faithful.

There is an important lesson here for us. Notice where Samuel lands his sermon. He continues to challenge the people of God to worship Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the great Shema that Moses taught them so long ago and it remains relevant in our day as well. We cannot place our trust in human leaders. We cannot expect the right politics to save us. The right laws to save us. The right social and economic policies to saves us. Yes, we need to be engaged in each of these areas and work to align them with God’s Word but, at the end of the day, only God can bring about the transformation our society so desperately needs.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-16

Putting God First

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 4-8

Imagine you are living in ancient Israel during the time of the judges. You have no Bible. You have no synagogue. You have no centralized system of government. Every now and again, a charismatic leader rises up and for a time you have peace. For a time you seek after God. But pretty soon you lapse back into your old ways. You live in a very tribal culture. Every tribe around you has its own gods and goddesses and its own way of worship that seems to have been working for them. As you build your house and plant your crops and grow your family, you grow complacent. The incredible miracles God worked on your behalf recede further and further. You are preoccupied with the present. What you will eat. What you will wear. Will your wife get pregnant this year? How many lambs will be born this spring? What will the harvest yield? Sure, you go up each year to Shiloh to make your sacrifices but then it’s back to normal. And “normal” doesn’t really include God. 

It’s actually not hard to imagine, is it? This is familiar territory for all of us. How many of us own a Bible but rarely open it? How many of us belong to a church but rarely go to worship? We too live in a “tribal” culture whether it’s our family, social group, political party, etc. Everyone of those tribes has its own “gods” and “goddesses” and different ways of worship. And if we aren’t careful, we can get sucked in. We buy our homes. We grow our families. We work hard. We play hard. And we too can get complacent. The miracles and blessings of God can become commonplace in our lives as well. We too are preoccupied with the present. What we will eat. What we will wear. What kind of home we will live in. Will I get a raise this year? A promotion? Will my child make the team? Will I get into my dream college? Will I get my dream job? Will I meet the man or woman of my dreams? Sure, we go to worship on Christmas and Easter just in case but then it’s quickly back to normal. And “normal” doesn’t really include God. 

Enter Samuel. A man sent by God to bring Israel back. To remind her of her covenant commitments. To have no other gods before God. To worship no idols. To honor God’s name and keep the Sabbath. “Then Samuel addressed the house of Israel: “If you are truly serious about coming back to God, clean house. Get rid of the foreign gods and fertility goddesses, ground yourselves firmly in God, worship him and him alone, and he’ll save you from Philistine oppression.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬) Samuel led Israel during a very difficult period in her history. She had suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Philistines. The ark of God had been captured. Her priests had been killed. All hope seemed lost. And then along came Samuel to remind her of God. To challenge her to return to God with her whole heart. To put aside all the other gods and goddesses. To cleanse herself of all the false worship she had engaged in. To come back to God and watch Him work yet another miracle on her behalf. This is exactly what happened. God brought them a great victory over their enemies. The Philistines were subdued. Territory was reclaimed. Hope was restored. 

What enemies are you facing today? What battles are you fighting? Anxiety? Depression? Grief? Chronic pain? Is your marriage failing? Your family crumbling? Your work suffering? Are you facing a scary diagnosis? A terminal illness? Are you struggling with loneliness? A lack of deep friendships? Do you feel overwhelmed? Too busy? Under too much pressure? What enemies do you face? And are you willing to make the sacrifices necessary to reorient your heart towards God in the midst of it all? Are you ready for the radical shift you will need to put aside the “gods” you’ve been worshipping and return to the Lord with your whole heart? Are you ready to put God first in your life?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12

Heartfelt Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3

Have you ever prayed a prayer from a place so deep it felt like it was wrenched from the depths of your soul? A prayer you prayed night after night? Day after day? Maybe even hour by hour? A prayer you prayed for years? A prayer you prayed through tears? A prayer you prayed with everything in you?

Hannah prayed such a prayer. Listen to how Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message…”Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies (literally Lord of hosts), if you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, if you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely , unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.” (1 Samuel 1:11) Hannah had endured so much pain over the years. She was tormented and abused by her rival Peninnah. She was ashamed of her barrenness. She felt cursed by God for not being able to bear children. Her suffering was so great she often lost her appetite. She constantly felt like she was letting her husband down. She was “crushed in soul” according to the account we read today. Thankfully, in her despair, she sought God. She cried out to Him. She brought her tears and broken heart and laid it at His feet. So distraught was she in prayer that Eli, the high priest, thought she was drunk!

Hannah’s pain and Hannah’s prayer were both real and authentic. “I’m a woman broken-hearted. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.” (1 Samuel 1: 15-16) Clearly, Hannah holds nothing back and Eli honors her with his blessing and this changes everything for her. Her appetite returns. Her sadness lifted. She seems ready for whatever God has in store.

This is truly the purpose of prayer. Yes, Hannah will conceive and bear a son. Yes, Hannah will dedicate him to the Lord just as she promised. Yes, God will use Samuel in a powerful way to accomplish His will for His people. But the biggest answer to prayer was the change in Hannah’s heart. In seeking the Lord, she exchanged sadness for joy. In honestly and authentically coming before Him, she exchanged despair for hope. In holding nothing back, not even her deepest pain and heartbreak, she exchanged anxiety and fear for peace. How was she able to do this? She kept her heart focused on God not just the answer God might provide. She trusted His will above her own. She surrendered her life into His sovereign hands.

What about you? What prayers do you pray? Do they come from the heart? From the place of deepest brokenness in your life? Are you willing to lay everything before the Lord, holding nothing back? Are you willing to relinquish your will into His hands? Trust Him for the answer He may provide? This is the essence of true prayer.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8