Why it Matters - Grace

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

Grace is unmerited favor. It is unearned blessing. It is a free gift from God. David understood grace. He understood his entire life up to this point had been filled with grace. Grace brought him from a shepherd’s field to a powerful position within the Kingdom of Israel. Grace won his battle with Goliath. Grace delivered the Philistines into his hands over and over again. And because David walked by grace and lived by grace, he was able to extend it out to others. Like the two hundred men who couldn’t keep up with him when they went into battle. The normal thing to do would be to punish them for their faithlessness. Deny them any part of the victory spoils. But David knew it was God who had given him the victory not his own strength of arms so he could be generous even with those who had let him down. I love how he is so quick to give God all the credit and glory. “But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.” (1 Samuel 30:23 NET)

Over the years, I’ve become convinced that grace is the most powerful force in the universe. I have seen grace change the hearts of those I love in my own family. I have seen grace change enemies into dear friends. I have seen grace heal divisions in churches. I have seen grace have a transformative effect in ways judgment never could. Grace sees the best in people. Grace sees God’s image in people. Grace refuses to let any barriers get in the way. Just this past week, I experienced grace when spending time with people from multiple different cultures, speaking multiple different languages. My heart was filled by their joy and laughter and tears and sadness. All of it grace upon grace upon grace.

Where has grace changed your life? Where have you seen grace change the lives of others? How can you extend grace to those around you today?

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

Why it Matters - Vengeance

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 17, 73

Revenge is a powerful motivator. It is fueled by rage and a deep sense of injustice. It is the primal human response whenever we feel wronged or hurt or betrayed. Something deep inside us demands a response. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth or something even more disproportionate. We want the perpetrator to experience what we’ve experienced and to feel what we feel. We want them to taste the pain we have suffered. We want them to be punished for their crimes against us. Tragically, vengeance has created cycles of violence that have consumed families, clans, tribes, and even nations. Millions have perished as a result. Millions more suffer incredible pain and grief and loss. There is no end to it because violence simply begets more violence. Vengeance is never truly satisfied. And perhaps that’s why the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” He knows how deep this propensity runs within us and He knows it can never be truly satisfied.

King David felt this impulse. When rebuffed by Nabal, he is quick to respond with violence. He feels wronged so he straps on a sword and marches out to kill Nabal and all his men. But for the intercession of Abigail, David would have committed a grave sin. “The Lord has kept his servant from doing evil, and he has repaid Nabal for his evil deeds.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭39‬ ‭NET‬‬) Taking vengeance into his own hands, he would prove himself to be no different than Saul. Thankfully, David was saved by Abigail’s quick and courageous response and it taught him a lesson that he soon employed when given the opportunity to take Saul’s life once again. David learned to leave vengeance to God. Let Him execute His justice in His time. Nabal suffers a stroke and dies. Saul eventually is killed in battle. David’s hands and heart remain clean. I love how Asaph reflects on this dynamic in his Psalm. His words are worth reading again in their entirety.

“Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure! But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing. Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth. Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning.” If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers. When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them. Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you. But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor. Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.” (Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭1‬-‭28‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Where have you been tempted to take revenge? Perhaps you felt insulted by a co-worker? Hurt by a harsh word by someone you love? Unjustly accused for something you did not do? Personally attacked? Maybe you’ve experienced discrimination over your ethnicity or gender? Maybe you’ve been dismissed due to your lack of education or economic or social status? Maybe someone has physically and violently assaulted you? Perhaps even taken the life of someone you love? Rather than allow yourself to become consumed with the desire for vengeance, turn those feelings over to God. Trust Him to make it right. Let Him set you free from the anger and bitterness and guilt and a hyper-fixation on past harms.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 35, 54, 63, 18

Why it Matters - Self-fulfilling prophecy

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

It’s almost a cliche in the ancient world. The harder one tries to escape one’s fate, the more that fate finds them. You see it Greek myth after Greek myth. The Greeks were great at using stories to diagnose human behavior and our tendency towards self-fulfilling prophecy is one of them. Think about King Saul. He could have chosen any number of ways to respond to David. He could have chosen humility and rejoiced in the victories David won. He could have graciously chosen to relinquish his crown and endorse David for the throne. He could repented of his sin, asked God for forgiveness, and perhaps lived out his life in peace. Sadly, Saul did what we all do. He fought his pre-ordained fate with all his might. And the harder he tried to hold on to power, the more it slipped through his fingers. The more he focused on killing David, the more his behavior became erratic and evil. Decisions that would have once been unthinkable - like killing Ahimelech and the priests of Nob - suddenly become more rational in the mind of an irrational person.

I’ve seen this dynamic play out in my own life and the lives of those I love. The more we resist the will of God for our lives, the more we bring all kinds of negative consequences upon us. I think about a conversation I had recently where the person is struggling with so much anxiety and fear. Rather than turn to God for comfort and peace, he chooses alcohol and marijuana and ends up not only feeling worse but broke as well! I think of another conversation where the person is working so hard to do so much good in an underserved area with a challenging population of young people. They come home exhausted every night. They are in their twenties and already exhibiting a lot of signs of burnout. But rather than turn to God for strength and wisdom, they keep Him at arm’s length, determined to do it themselves. I think of how many couples I’ve counseled over the years who could have saved their marriages if they just took the time to humble themselves, ask for forgiveness for the mistakes they made, listen more attentively to each other, and make a few changes to how they operate. Instead, they chose messy divorces and spent tons of money on legal fees and the ripple effect financially and emotionally stayed with them for years. It’s painful to watch.

Think about your own life. Where are you actively resisting the will of God? Where do you need to humble yourself under God’s mighty hand? Where do you need to turn to Him for strength and wisdom, peace and comfort today? What’s stopping you? Is it pride? Fear? Confusion? Potential embarrassment? Let me encourage you with all my heart to repent! Ask God for forgiveness. Open your hands and heart to Him. Let Him lead and guide you on new paths.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Envy

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

“It’s amazing what can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I don’t remember when I first heard that phrase or who said it to me but it’s true. If we can set our egos aside, it’s amazing what God can do in and through us. I think about the team I get to serve with. Elders and staff at our church. They are some of the most humble and teachable people you could ever want to meet. They aren’t territorial or prideful or power hungry. They don’t care about titles or position. They simply want to serve and I love that about them. It inspires me to do the same. Sadly, I’ve seen far too many ministries where the opposite was the case. Pastors and church leaders who craved the spotlight. Promoted themselves constantly. Refused to share the pulpit or the credit for the success of the ministry. In almost every case, it eventually comes crashing down around them as their envy of others gets the best of them.

Envy is a major part of what brought down King Saul. Having rightly identified David’s gifts and talents and raised him up to be the leader of his armies, he grew jealous when his people started to praise David more than him. He felt threatened and began to seek David’s life. “The women who were playing the music sang, “Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousands!” This made Saul very angry. The statement displeased him and he thought, “They have attributed to David tens of thousands, but to me they have attributed only thousands. What does he lack, except the kingdom?” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) Saul’s envy would result in a civil war that would last for years and cause not only his death but the death of his family as well. It’s a tragic end to a tragic story.

Do you struggle with envy or jealousy? Do you care who gets the credit for the successes you happen to be part of? Are you the kind of person who seeks out titles and position? Do you engage in self-promotion? Always making sure everyone knows your accomplishments? I see it over and over again. Especially on social media. The humble brag. The false modesty. The discreet self-praise. Honestly, I’d rather people just came out and shared their good news or at least deflect some of the credit to the people in their life who helped make it happen. For my part, I’m a huge believer in promoting others. Praising others. Lifting others up. The Lord convicted me almost twenty years ago at a time when I too was struggling with self-promotion. He turned my attention outward towards others and called me to labor in obscurity, pursue anonymity, and embrace insignificance. He led me to a prayer called the “Litany of Humility” which I try to pray on a daily basis. And I’ve never looked back.

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

Why it Matters - Character

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-16

Saul is a test case in character. He is raised up from the smallest clan of the smallest tribe to be the first king of Israel. God promises to make of him a great dynasty. One that will last for generations. But when Saul’s character is put to the test, he fails. He lets fear drive him to make unauthorized sacrifices rather than wait for Samuel. He spares the king of the Amalekites and keeps the best of their flocks and herds. He makes foolish decisions and a rash oath that almost costs him his son. As a result, God rejects Saul and looks for a man after His own heart. “Then Samuel said to Saul, “You have made a foolish choice! You have not obeyed the commandment that the Lord your God gave you. Had you done that, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever! But now your kingdom will not continue! The Lord has sought out for himself a man who is loyal to him and the Lord has appointed him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Character matters. It doesn’t matter what age or ethnicity or economic status or professional position one holds. It matters at home with the family. It matters at school. It matters at work. It matters in life. And the more power and influence and responsibility one holds, the more one’s character is put to the test and revealed. It was Lord Acton who once said, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” He’s exactly right. All one has to do is look at the number of political leaders who use their position to enrich themselves or the spiritual leaders who use their authority to take advantage of their congregations or the business leaders who are motivated by greed and selfishness rather than a heart to serve or the parents who act like dictators over their homes. The key to building godly character is humility. Submission. Trusting God over our own thoughts or feelings. Obeying God even when it’s hard or doesn’t make human sense. This is the essence of what Samuel tried to tell Saul. God wants obedience rather than sacrifice.

Godly character doesn’t just happen. It must be built over time. It takes daily intentional effort. Time with the Lord every day. Worship with God’s people every week. A small group of believers who can hold you accountable. A commitment to serve and share your faith with others. Do these things every day over the rest of your life and you will find your character being shaped and molded by God’s Spirit to reflect the heart of His Son.

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

Why it Matters - Chosen

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12

One of the fundamental themes that runs throughout the Scriptures is the idea that God chooses us before we choose Him. God chose Noah and his family. God chose Abraham and Sarah. God chose Isaac. God chose Jacob. God chose Joseph. God chose Moses. God chose Joshua. God chose each one of the judges of Israel. God chose Samuel. And today, we read about God choosing Saul. Saul did not set out to be king, in fact, he set out to find some donkeys! Little did he know what God had in store for him. God orchestrates a meeting with Samuel, tells Samuel who to look for, and the next thing you know, Saul is anointed Israel’s first king. No one is as shocked as Saul at this crazy turn of events. Born into the smallest clan of the smallest tribe, it seems Saul had no designs on leadership of any kind but after Samuel anoints him, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, equipping and empowering him for his work.

I often look back over the course of my life and marvel at all God has done. He chose me when I was a drunk and failing out of college at CU. (Talk about searching for donkeys!) He chose me when I had no ministry credentials or experience or background that would suggest I would make a decent pastor. He chose to send me to Princeton where I had no business getting accepted with my grades being as poor as they were. He chose Overlook Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL to be my first call. An amazing church with an amazing heart for God where a young pastor could learn what it meant to love God and love His people. He chose Sun Prairie, WI to humble me and strip my life down to the studs so I would learn what it means to fear the Lord. He chose Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church to rebuild heal my soul, rebuild my faith, and restore my trust in Him and His people. It’s been an amazing ride. One I could never have planned on my own. Yes, every time God chose me, I needed to choose Him in return but God was always the initiator.

What about you? When you think back over the course of your life, where do you see the hand of God at work? Can you identify those moments when God chose to save you or set you apart for a special task? Do you believe in God’s providential plan for your life? Do you walk with open hands and an open heart before Him?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-16

Why it Matters - Rejection

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 4-8

No one likes rejection. Particularly when you have spent a lifetime serving a particular people or a particular cause. Samuel dedicated his entire life to serving the Lord and Israel. He led them for decades, serving as their spiritual, political, military, and primary religious leader. He led them faithfully and well which was a significant change of pace from Eli and his sons. He restored the true worship of God, calling the people to let go of their idols. He won a major military victory over the Philistines at Mizpah. Sadly, as he grew older, his sons did not follow his example. They walked in the footsteps of the sons of Eli, the former priest, taking bribes and perverting justice. As a result, the people rejected Samuel and called for a king.

As a pastor, I know a little bit of how this feels. Rejection is part of the job description. Every pastor knows what it feels like to walk with an individual or family in crisis. On call 24/7 for them. Sacrificing all kinds of time and energy to serve them. Offering them our best guidance and wisdom from God’s Word. Only to have them walk away when things get better. Leave the church because things didn’t turn out the way they wanted. Be attacked publicly for not meeting their expectations. It hurts every single time. But in those moments, I’ve learned to turn to these words from 1 Samuel. “The Lord said to Samuel, “Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king. Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods. This is what they are also doing to you.” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) I find these words comforting though I am cautious about equating someone’s rejection of me with a rejection of God. However, when an individual refuses to submit themselves to Scripture or the process of forgiveness and reconciliation laid out in Scripture, I do recognize something bigger is going on than just a rejection of me personally and that helps me gain perspective.

It also gives me an occasion to reflection on my own life. Where am I rejecting God as king? Where am I rejecting the Lordship of Christ in my life? Where am I seeking to compromise and live just like my unbelieving neighbors? Where am I giving into the temptation to pursue the American Dream over the call to deny myself and follow Jesus? You see, this isn’t just everyone else’s issue. It’s mine as well. And it brings me to my knees confession and repentance before the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12

Why it Matters - Trust

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3

Hannah is one of my favorite people in the Bible. Probably because I have met many women like her over the years. Women of great faith. Women of deep trust. Women who believe with all their hearts. They often endure incredible hardship and suffering. They are full of grief and pain. They’ve endured terrible trauma. But still they seek God. Still they serve God. One of the things I get to do when I travel to places like Ethiopia or South Sudan or Uganda is sit with women and listen to their stories. Many of them have been sexually abused. Many of them have lost children. Many of them have been beaten and bear the scars of physical violence on their bodies. Somehow they find the strength to endure. It’s incredible and frankly miraculous. Sadly, I see some of the same dynamics here at home as well. Despite the “progressive” nature of our modern, first world society, women still report being harassed and abused far too often. Many of them suffer deep grief at the loss of children through miscarriage or abortion. Many are beaten and bear the scars on their bodies. Many are treated as disposable in relationships. Many face discrimination in the workplace because of their gender. I’ve sat with them. I’ve heard their stories. And somehow they find the strength to endure. Again, I find it incredible and miraculous.

Perhaps that’s why I love Hannah so much. She reminds me of many of the women in my own life. She seeks God with all her heart. She trusts God even in the midst of her suffering. She is not afraid to bring to God the deepest desires of her heart. And God honors her. God answers her prayers. And even then, Hannah remains true. She never turns her back. She doesn’t seek to keep Samuel to herself. She fulfills her vow and dedicates him to the Lord. I can’t imagine the kind of faith it would take to leave your only child with the priests and return home with empty arms once again. But Hannah’s prayer says it all. “No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one other than you! There is no rock like our God! Don’t keep speaking so arrogantly, letting proud talk come out of your mouth! For the Lord is a God who knows; he evaluates what people do. The bows of warriors are shattered, but those who stumble find their strength reinforced. Those who are well-fed hire themselves out to earn food, but the hungry no longer lack. Even the barren woman gives birth to seven, but the one with many children withers away. The Lord both kills and gives life; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts. He lifts the weak from the dust; he raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes and to bestow on them an honored position. The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and he has placed the world on them. He watches over his holy ones, but the wicked are made speechless in the darkness, for it is not by one’s own strength that one prevails. The Lord shatters his adversaries; he thunders against them from the heavens. The Lord executes judgment to the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and exalt the power of his anointed one.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭10‬ ‭NET‬‬) She knows God is sovereign. She knows God is good. She knows God sees her barren condition. And she knows He will provide according to His perfect will.

Prayers like Hannah’s humble me deeply. They expose how self-centered my prayers too often are. I long for a faith like Hannah’s. I long to trust like Hannah. I long to believe like Hannah. Thankfully, as I continue to seek God year after year, I find such faith stirring up in my heart. God drawing near. God making Himself known. God showing Himself trustworthy time and again. All that I have and all that I am belongs to Him. My life and my future and my family and the church I serve and the people I love and the partners I minister alongside are all in His hands.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8

Fear

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

Fear does funny things to people. It closes doors that otherwise remain open. It limits options unnecessarily. It puts blinders on our eyes and gives us tunnel vision so we see the worst case scenarios. A few months ago, I was talking to my daughter about her college choices. I encouraged her to apply to several different colleges so we could have as many options as possible. She received it as a lack of support for the one college she wanted to go to. Her fear caused her to think the worst of me rather than the best. After we talked it out, she understood and more doors have opened for her. A friend of mine is trying to kick an addiction. The biggest challenge he faces is how to manage his anxiety and fear. He’s gotten so used to numbing himself on marijuana that he doesn’t know how he’ll be able to cope. We’ve talked about a lot of healthier options like exercise, taking a walk outside, hanging out with friends, etc. but he can’t seem to take the blinders off. It’s making an already difficult situation even more challenging. I think about what’s happening in the stock market over the last week or so. Fear and anxiety and uncertainty are creating all kinds of volatility. People are responding to worst case scenarios rather than remaining calm and looking at all their options.

Saul too experienced fear. Fear is what drove him to seek out the help of a medium. Fear is what drove him to try to call up the dead. Fear is what drove him to abandon God and try to find a way out of the mess he’d made on his own. However, the more he tried, the worse things got. All because of fear. Fear is what drove the Philistine leaders to kick David out of their army. Their fear of what he might do, given the right opportunity, cost them a valuable ally. Fear is what drove Saul to take his own life. He was afraid of what might happen to him should he be captured. He was afraid of the torture and the shame. But when his armor-bearer refused to take his life, he fell on his own sword. Fear is what caused Israel to run from battle. After the death of Saul and his sons, Israel lost the will to fight and fled to the countryside.

What is the antidote to fear? It’s not courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage doesn’t prevent you from being afraid. Courage is working through the fear to do what needs to be done. Courage is moving forward despite the fear. Courage is facing your fears and not letting them limit you in any way. Courage is important but it’s not the antidote to fear. Faith is the only thing that can protect us from fear. Faith in God. Faith in those we love. Faith gives us the ability to believe God is more than able to do all we ask for or imagine. Faith is the confidence that God will deliver on His promises. Faith is assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. When we walk by faith, we don’t need to walk by sight. When we live by faith, we won’t place our trust in the temporary things of this world. Faith gives us the eyes to see beyond the horizon of this world to the world to come. It opens our eyes to all the options that lie before us, including the ones that only God can see right now. As powerful as motivator as fear can be, faith is even more powerful.

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

Humility

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalms 17, 73

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 instead of cursing David and acting a fool, if he blessed David and thanked him for the many ways he protected his shepherds in the wilderness? Imagine if Nabal had not looked down on David, calling him a slave, but instead treated him honorably and welcomed him to his feast? Tragically, Nabal hardened his heart and fell under God’s judgment. Abigail, on the other hand, is the perfect picture of humility. When she hears what her husband had done, she rushes out to make up for it. She intercedes for his life and is able to avert a war. She shows us what grace looks like in action and David is so impressed, he takes her for his wife after Nabal dies. One even wonders if Abigail’s example rubs off on David? In the very next chapter, David has the opportunity to kill Saul and bring an end to the civil war in Israel, he stays his hand. He refuses to take Saul’s life, trusting God to make it happen in His perfect time. In this way, David will know it is the Lord who fights his battles and gives him the victory. As Abigail says so well, “And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself.” (1 Samuel 25:30-31 CSB)

In my experience, you can choose to 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 or Saul. 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?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 35, 54, 63, 18

Godly Confidence

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

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to speak to different groups of leaders within my denomination. Different churches in different communities than my own, sometimes from different cultures than my own. One thing they all hold in common is a deep love for God and a passion to seek Him for the future of their life together. Often, the way forward is not easy. It can be unclear. It can be full of challenges. There can be a lot of conflict to navigate. Major decisions and major risks have to be taken in order to move forward. Those first few steps of faith are the hardest to take, at least in my experience. I try to share vulnerably from my own life when I speak. I share the stories of the challenges I’ve had to face and my many failures along the way. I share the stories of the conflicts I’ve had to manage and the anxieties I’ve felt. I share the stories of the pivotal moments when major decisions had to be made and the incredible risks taken for the Kingdom of God and how those worked out. Like everyone, I have had my ups and downs. I’ve had my successes and failures. But through it all, I’ve learned to lean on God for my confidence.

Godly confidence is not something we are born with. It is something we earn over a lifetime. Primarily through hardship and struggle. It is forged in the fires of adversity. It is tempered in times of trial. It is refined through seasons of suffering. As I said, I’ve had my share. When my life was at it’s lowest possible point and I was in danger of losing everything and everyone I loved, God met me in a powerful way. He lifted me up out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground. I learned the truth of David’s words from Psalm 91, “Because He holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” David also had a godly confidence. It’s what led him into the valley to meet Goliath. It’s what won him victory after victory against the Philistines. It’s what sustained him when he was falsely accused and hunted down by King Saul. David knew God was with him. He trusted God to lead and guide him. He took great risks and leveraged everything he had over and over again in service of the Lord. And he never lost sight of God’s protection. He never took advantage of his position. Even when he had King Saul at his mercy, he refused to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. He knew his time would come and it would be by God’s hand not his that he would become king.

Once you hit rock bottom and find God waiting for you there, there isn’t much that will shake you. Once you’ve been through the fires of adversity and God leads you to the other side, there isn’t much that can break you. Once God takes your life down to the studs and begins building you back again, you find yourself no longer placing your trust in the things of this world. Success. Wealth. Power. Position. None of it matters except that it put to use to expand and grow the Kingdom of God. I’ve staked my life on this truth. I’ve watched God do His miraculous work through His people time and time again. I’ve been privileged to have a front row seat to the movement of the Holy Spirit as He transforms so many lives. I’ve experienced the sufficiency of the gospel over and over again in my own life despite my foolishness and failures. God is able, friends! God is MORE than able to do MORE than we can ever ask or imagine. Trust Him with your life today!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals for today

Future

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

I hate uncertainty. I struggle with not knowing the future. I do all I can to predict and prepare for what’s next. I don’t like surprises. I don’t like it when life takes an unexpected turn. These things make me feel insecure. At the same time, I believe in the sovereignty of God. I trust God holds my future in His capable hands. I believe God will use all things in my life for my good and for His glory. I just wish sometimes He would give me a glimpse of what’s to come.

David had no idea what the future held for him. One day, he’s tending sheep. The next, he’s fighting a giant. One day, he’s laboring in obscurity, a complete unknown. The next, he’s famous for delivering Israel from the Philistines. One day, he’s outdoors, in the fields, hunting for his food, living with smelly, dirty sheep. The next, he’s in Jerusalem, living at the king’s court, eating at the king’s table, making a name for himself as he wins battle after battle. How did David get from here to there? It’s actually pretty simple. “So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with someone to keep it, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had charged him.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Nothing extraordinary. No voices from heaven. No miraculous signs. Just following his father’s request to check on his brothers. This ordinary, mundane decision literally changes the course of his life as well as the future of Israel.

How many times can we look back on our lives and say the same? How many times did a simple, ordinary, mundane decision lead us to an opportunity that changed our lives? Can we see God’s hand in it? Using the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary? Using our everyday decisions to accomplish His will? I certainly can see this dynamic in play in my life. My choice of a college coming out of high school led me to an opportunity to accept Christ and meet my future wife. My choice of a church in Boulder led me to an opportunity to attend Princeton Seminary. My choice to serve a small church in Mobile, AL prepared me to lead the church I currently serve in Parker, CO. My choice to apply for a fellowship program at Columbia Seminary led me to an opportunity to be mentored by Steve Hayner. My connection to Steve gave me the opportunity to get my doctorate which has opened all kinds of doors professionally for me over the years. The list goes on and on. It’s astounding to see and nothing I could ever have planned. Not in my wildest dreams.

Someone once famously said, “We may not know the future but we know the One who holds the future in His hands.” We do have a sure and certain hope. Not because we know the future. Not because we can predict what’s next with any degree of accuracy. Not because we are prepared for whatever may come. We have a sure and certain hope because we trust the Lord. We know He guides and directs our steps. We know He is faithful to be with us wherever we go. This is what set David apart from all the other warriors in the army of Israel. Though he didn’t know what awaited him when he rode into camp that day, he knew the Lord was with him so he could face even a giant like Goliath without fear.

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

Heart

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-16

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 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?

What does it mean to love God with a “whole” heart? To be fully devoted to Him? 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.

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. He ended up tormented and paranoid. 

King David was a whole-hearted man. David was a man after God’s own heart though this didn’t make him perfect. In fact, his failures are massive and significant and costly. But through it all, the one thing David consistently does is seek 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 descendants for generations.  

Take some time today and honestly examine your 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 17-20, Psalms 59

Disappointment

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12

Disappointment is hard to navigate. I recently was talking to a friend who experienced a painful disappointment in their life. People with whom they were close let them down. People they trusted and invited into their home had betrayed them. People they loved had walked away. I’ve seen it too many times to count. I’ve seen it in marriages and families. I’ve seen it in churches and small groups. I’ve seen it in business and friendship. And the natural response is to pull back. Protect our hearts. Refuse to trust anyone ever again lest we open ourselves up to more hurt. Even if the person or parties return, we too often refuse to forgive. Refuse to extend grace. And the result is only more brokenness and heartbreak and pain.

There is so much to admire about Samuel. His devotion to the Lord from a young age. His military prowess. His leadership ability. His spiritual authority and wisdom. His faithfulness over so many years. But perhaps what I admire most is his attitude at the end of his life. When the people he has given his life to turn on him and ask for a king. They reject his leadership in a desire to be just like the nations around them. It had to be a crushing disappointment for him. But what is his response? “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 never stops praying. Never stops teaching. Never stops discipling. Never stops seeking to lead them by example. It doesn’t matter that they have rejected and betrayed him. His calling doesn’t depend on their affirmation. He trusts in the Lord alone.

What about you? What disappointments have you faced in your life that have tempted you to withdraw? Tempted you to avoid? Tempted you to withhold forgiveness and grace? What relationships in your life need healing and reconciliation? How can you be an agent of grace in the midst of conflict? How can you be a person of peace when those you love are at odds with one another? Follow Samuel’s example. Never stop praying, even for those who hurt you. Never stop living the good and righteous way. Never stop fearing the Lord and worshipping Him faithfully with all your heart. Never forget the great things He has done for you and seek to do those same things for others.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-16

Idols

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 4-8

What comes to mind when you think of an idol? Perhaps you’ve visited archeological sites and seen how the ancients worshipped? Perhaps you’ve walked through museums and seen the religious symbols of different cultures throughout history? Perhaps it’s a golden statue from the Indiana Jones movies? Those kinds of idols are easy to spot. It’s much harder to discern the idols of our own lives. Technology. Money. Possessions. Positions. Idolatry comes all too easy for us. John Calvin was right when he wrote that our hearts are idol factories. We produce them at a relentless pace, as if they were on an assembly line.

We’re so prone to idolatry that we turn good things, even godly things, into ultimate things. Consider the nation of Israel. Under threat by their Philistine neighbors. Having been defeated once already in battle. Afraid of what might happen if they were defeated a second time. They called on their priests to bring them the ark of the Lord. Now we all know the ark of the Lord is sacred. It resided in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. The very place where the high priest met with God. It was perhaps the most important religious symbol in all of Israel. But at the end of the day, it was just a box. It held no power of its own. Carrying it into battle did nothing for Israel. Even though it was a good thing, it was not an ultimate thing. Even though it was a sacred thing, a godly thing, it was just a symbol. It was no substitute for God Himself.

Israel made the mistake of placing their trust in a gift rather than the Giver. They believed the ark “contained” God and if they just carried it with them in battle, they could not be defeated. But the heavens cannot contain God’s glory, much less this little box Israel carried around with them. And while it’s tempting to look down on Israel’s foolishness, how often do we make the same mistake? How often do we try to put God in a box? How often do we try to control Him? Manipulate Him? Judge Him? Evaluate Him? Remake Him in our own image? I think of the number of people who’ve said to me over the years, “I could never believe in a God like that…(insert whatever quality you take issue with)” I think about the number of times I have said or thought something similar. But God is not bound to our ideas of Him. He is not bound to our understanding of Him. And every time we try to reduce Him down to size, we are engaged in idolatry. Every time we try to capture Him with our theological systems, we are in danger of misrepresenting Him. Placing our trust once again in ourselves rather than in God.

Towards the end of our reading for today, Samuel calls Israel to return to the Lord. He challenges them to put away all their false gods. He challenges them to worship God alone and not place their trust in idols, even if they are sacred objects. “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) This same challenge remains for us today. To set our hearts on the Lord and worship Him alone.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12

Dedication

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 1-3

Recently our church took a survey. One of the questions went something like this, “Are you willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord?” Not surprisingly, a smaller percentage of our congregation said, “Yes.” I had several people ask me about it later. Most of them took issue with the word “everything.” After all, “everything” could include their work, their home, their livelihood, their future, or their 401K. But those weren’t really the things that tripped people up. What really tripped people up was the idea that they might have to give up their children or their children’s future for the Lord. That’s the reason I heard over and over again as people answered “disagree” to that particular question and I get it. I really do. I have four kids myself. I love each of them fiercely. I want the best for them. I have worked hard to sacrifice so they can have all kinds of opportunities in life. The idea that I might have to give them up to the Lord is a foreign concept to me.

However, it wasn’t a foreign concept in Israel. The people of God loved their children as much or more than we do. They just understood God loved them more. They understood every child was a blessing from the Lord and therefore belonged to Him. Yes, we are entrusted with raising our children. Teaching our children. Protecting and providing for our children. But our children are from the Lord. They ultimately belong to Him which is why Hannah was able and willing to let go of Samuel. Her firstborn son. Her only child. With no guarantee she would get pregnant a second time. It’s an incredible act of faith. And the only reason she was able to find the courage to take this step is because of how much she trusted God. Listen to the words of her song again…

My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is lifted up by the Lord.

My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you! 

And there is no rock like our God. Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by him. 

The bows of the warriors are broken, but the feeble are clothed with strength. 

Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but those who are starving hunger no more.

The woman who is childless gives birth to seven, but the woman with many sons pines away. 

The Lord brings death and gives life; he sends some down to Sheol, and he raises others up. 

The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap. 

He seats them with noblemen and gives them a throne of honor. 

For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; he has set the world on them. 

He guards the steps  of his faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a person does not prevail by his own strength. 

Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered; he will thunder in the heavens against them. 

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to his king; he will lift up the horn of his anointed. (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Hannah believed every word of her prayer which is why she could relinquish her son to the Lord. She knew God had a plan for her son’s life though she could not have known the great man and prophet he would become. She simply knew he would serve the Lord and she knew the Lord lifts up the humble and poor and powerless. When you think about it, everything Hannah prays about comes true in Samuel’s life. He becomes the greatest and wisest judge in Israel’s history. He is a great leader and warrior. He presides over a period of stability and prosperity. He anoints Saul and David as kings. None of that would be possible except for his mother’s deep faith.

So let’s ask the question again…are you willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord? Imagine what He could do with whatever you decide to entrust into His hands? Your future? Your finances? Your work? Your home? Your family? God wants it all. Not to take it from you but to do with it what you could never do. This is His promise to all who would give their lives to Him.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8

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