"And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites." ~ I Samuel 15:20 REFERENCE: I Samuel 15:7-21 Our key verse shows the second time Saul told Samuel that he had performed and obeyed the command of the Lord. In verse 13, it appears that Saul is unaware of the implications of his action, but from the above, there is a tone of intentionality. By repeating that he had obeyed God,...
“But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” ~ I Samuel 15:14 REFERENCE: I Samuel 15:1-14 Do you know people who claim to be one thing, but everything around them says differently? King Saul fit that bill when he gave himself laurels while reporting to prophet Samuel on the assignment God gave him. As smug and satisfied as Saul was, something gave away the fact that he did not do what he claimed and did not deserve the laurels – the bleating of sheep....
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’” – Numbers 13:30 REFERENCE: Numbers 13:16-33 Moses sent twelve men to spy out their land of promise – Canaan, which they were to take possession of. Although God had given them the land, Moses wanted them to have a vision of the land to whet their appetite for entering it. Ten of the twelve spies brought back a bad report about the land. The bad report put fear in the people, and they...
"Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!" ~ Amos 6:1 REFERENCE: Amos 6:1-7 This chapter begins with words that sound strange to our pleasure-seeking and vain generation: "Woe to those who are at ease." That is not how we see things; we would rather say, "Blessed or happy are those who are at ease, who never experience the bite of economic hardship, are never worried about tomorrow's needs, and live very 'soft' lives." We consider they are doing well and envy...
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" ~ Lamentations 3:24 REFERENCE: Lamentations 3:21-25 Today's world struggles with insecurity, uncertainties, and hyperinflation; it is so easy to feel overwhelmed and disheartened. However, amid it all, you can find hope and encouragement in the unchanging character of God. The indicators may not be giving positive signs, but hope in God. Anchor your heart in His faithfulness and ever-sure promises. Difficult times ultimately come to snuff out your hope because hope is crucial to living. If a man loses hope, why should he still live?...
“…But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them.” ~ Joshua 1:14 REFERENCE: Joshua 1:12-16 The measure of true success is not in one’s achievements or accumulation but in helping others to achieve success too. It is the grander vision that many have lost today in a world where things have become tough and self-focus (or selfishness) is unconsciously on the rise. One can hear it in our prayers: “Bless me, give me, heal me.” The thoughts of how we will break free from poverty and the rat race occupy us,...
“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” ~ Mark 4:29 REFERENCE: Mark 4:26-29 A seed can multiply and reproduce itself if planted in suitable soil. A seed speaks of perpetuity, the promise of an endless life. For example: If you have the seed of an apple and you plant it in a conducive soil, you will have apples for the rest of your life. This is the principle of the seed: when planted, it must reproduce after its kind. This principle is true in both spiritual and physical things....
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." ~ Psalm 46:1 REFERENCE: Psalm 46:1-11 No matter who you are or how rich you are, we do not want trouble. Trouble can turn kings into beggars and make strong men cry. It has broken families, drained their resources, and left them impoverished. Trouble is whatever gets you worried or agitated; it brings distress, inconvenience, anxiety, fear, and discouragement. However, God is our present help in trouble. I have been in situations where I was confused and fearful, times when I thought I would not see the...
“For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land.” Jeremiah 1:18 REFERENCE: Jeremiah 1:17-19 We all have a sense of mission, a driving conviction that our life is about something, and we ought to be doing it. We often desire to be or do more than we presently are, and we have an innate desire to want to better our lot. In several instances, what keeps us immobilized...
“…Indeed, satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you… when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” – Luke 22:31-32 REFERENCE: Luke 22:31-33 God has a plan for every season or experience you may find yourself in; to use it to strengthen the brethren. It may be bereavement, betrayal, or backsliding (as in our text), yet, God would use it as a tool of help and hope for many. This outlook is what God wants us to have towards our wilderness seasons. No matter how painful, God will...