‘And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth”‘ (1 Samuel 17:33 NKJV)

May 15, 2015

Saul appraised David’s chances at success based on outward appearance and worldly wisdom. He couldn’t see David’s heart. For if he could, he would’ve seen the heart of a lion, one who was after God’s own heart. Besides, it pleases God to take the small to overcome the great. In this, God receives greater praise. God cares more for your availability, than your ability. David made himself available. And God did the rest.

“Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself” (1 Samuel 15:12 NKJV)

May 14, 2015

Saul’s true character is revealed. Saul led Israel to attack the Amalekites as God commanded, but he did not utterly destroy them, sparing the king and the best of the spoils. Not only did he take spoils, but he “set up a monument for himself” in Carmel, taking credit for God’s victory. Saul’s character was revealed in this. Although he started out exhibiting low self-esteem, he now shows his true heart of pride and desire for man’s approval. This is often true. Low self-esteem is really the flip side of the same coin: pride. Instead of esteeming “self,” we should esteem God. Those who esteem God over self, have a right and healthy view of self.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 NKJV)

May 13, 2015

Making reference to the Scripture where Moses struck the rock in the wilderness and water gushed forth, Jesus claimed to be able to make the same miracle take place in human hearts. Jesus invited them to come, drink, and believe. These three verbs in series act to intensify response to Christ’s call. When we come to the Rock and drink, we find ourselves not only fully satisfied, but we become conduits of God’s torrent of grace to others.

‘And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly”‘ (1 Samuel 13:13 NKJV)

May 12, 2015

When Saul failed to wait on the prophet Samuel to make the burnt offering and instead offered it himself, Samuel corrected him. I must admit, I relate to Saul’s impatience. After all, Samuel was running late and Saul’s army was getting restless, with many of them going AWOL. Saul was worried about winning the upcoming battle when he should have been focused on being obedient to God. Be careful not to put God’s work before His worship, nor fear of man, rather than God.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2 NKJV)

May 11, 2015

Psalm 107 opens with a call to worship inviting the “redeemed” to “give thanks to the Lord.” The psalmist then begins to remind them of God’s deliverance from Egypt. This call to worship is still relevant today. If we are among the redeemed, then we should “say so,” declaring what Christ the Redeemer has done for us and giving thanks to Him for our salvation.

‘And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst”‘ (John 6:35 NKJV)

May 10, 2015

This is one of the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. John loved sevens (the number of completion). In the Greek, Jesus used the emphatic “ἐγώ εἰμι” (ego eimi), which might be translated “I, I am.” To Jewish ears, this was a clear reference to God’s name, “Yahweh” (I AM). As for calling Himself bread, the Jews considered bread the main sustenance of life and the major symbol of both their release from Egypt (Passover bread) and survival in the wilderness (manna). Jesus is the fulfillment of both the manna and the Passover bread. For God gave Jesus to us, so that those who believed and received Him would have eternal life.

‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us”‘ (1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV)

May 9, 2015

Samuel called the Israelites to Mizpah for an assembly of repentance and recommitment, but the Philistines heard about their gathering and attacked. God fought for Israel and they overcame for the first time in a generation. There, Samuel set up a large stone to remind them of God’s help, calling it Ebenezer or “stone of help.” Samuel understood that we are a forgetful people and need reminders. Some of us journal, writing it down when God rescues. Some carry a chip to commemorate their years of sobriety. Others compose a song, like “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” singing: “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.” Do you have an “Ebenezer” to remember what God as done for you?

“There is another who bears witness of Me” (John 5:32 NKJV)

May 8, 2015

Jesus described the four-fold witness that attested to His identity as the Christ, the Son of God: 1) John the Baptist, 2) His works, 3) the Father, and 4) the Scriptures. In order to reject Jesus, one must reject all four of these witnesses. Today, I am a witness to Christ’s identity. I affirm the four witnesses’ testimony and bear witness of His salvation work in me and in mine. Can you bear witness with us?

“He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:23 NKJV)

May 7, 2015

Honoring (worshiping) Jesus is the only way to offer acceptable worship to God. There is no lack of clarity in this. All other worship is vain. Jesus is the glory of God revealed to us. He is God’s fullest and final revelation. Rejecting Jesus is to reject God. Receiving Jesus is to receive all that the Father has for us, so that we may worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, receiving eternal life and adoption into God’s family. Honor Jesus.

“Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative'” (Ruth 4:14 NKJV)

May 6, 2015

The little books of Ruth and Jonah have much in common. Four chapters, literary works of art, easily seen as 4-act plays, and more… But more profound is that they both foreshadow great doctrines of redemption. Both books show how God’s message of salvation is for non-Jews too. In Jonah it’s the Ninevites and in Ruth it’s a Moabite. Jonah’s 3-days in the fish foreshadows Christ’s time in the tomb and resurrection. And Ruth’s redemption by Boaz foreshadows Christ’s redemption of all who come to Him. In Boaz, we see the Hebrew “kinsman-redeemer,” — the one according to Levitical law that was to redeem a deceased kin’s wife and property. This foreshadows Christ redeeming His bride, which is the Church. The redeemed Moabitess Ruth became the great grandmother of David, and therefore in the line of Jesus. And Naomi (meaning “pleasant”), who had changed her name to Mara (“bitter”), was happier than ever! Now that’s amazing redemption!