Blog Entries - October 2007

The extra mile

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Nabal's servants went beyond the call of duty even when it meant going against their master.

1 Samuel 25.1-19

Reference: v. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.

Explore: David had gone to Nabal to ask him to supply them needed food, seeing as though David and his men had guarded his servants at another time. Nabal refused which made David very unhappy. Yet the servants remembered the care of David’s men and so went behind their cruel master’s back to try to persuade his wife of the care David had shown them in the past.

Application: People remember when you go the extra mile. It’s one thing to be nice to someone or to be friendly, but to go the extra mile means to stick your neck out and make some kind of sacrifice for another. David’s men had gone the extra mile for Nabal’s servants. I’m not sure whether this was custom for the day but it had certainly been remembered fondly by the servants. One of Jesus’ commands is to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ This sounds like quite a simple request; to treat another person as you would like to be treated. Yet when it does actually happen you find the response similar to Nabal’s servants, gratitude and dedication.

Prayer: Lord, I know I should love others more but sometimes it seems so challenging. Give me your strength as I go the extra mile. Amen.

Actions speak louder than words

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:07:30 +0100

1 Samuel 24.1-22

Reference: v. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” Saul said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.”

Explore: David has just spared Saul’s life for the first time. He could have killed him fairly easily and yet didn’t. When David proved to Saul his grace, Saul was very humbled and acknowledged his greatness. However, if we know anything about King Saul’s story we know that he tries again to find David and kill him. So while he was wrapped up in the moment of being saved, he spoke words of affirmation to David. However, when it came down to it, Saul was not changed at all because his future actions did not change.

Application: We all have times of enlightenment in our lives. Something happens that changes our course or that allows us to see a better way of living. These moments can be powerful and poignant. However, while the wisdom we receive in that moment can be eye-opening, it really doesn’t mean anything unless we put it into action in the future. Saul’s declaration of David was honourable and yet his actions didn’t change, therefore his heart had not been changed. Unless our future actions change and back up the wisdom that has been revealed to us, then we are worse off from never having received the wisdom in the first place.

Prayer: Lord, I read your word, I gain your wisdom, I know what I should do and yet I do the opposite. Help me to stay true to the wisdom you have so generously given. Amen.

The �easy� life

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:09:20 +0100

1 Samuel 23.1-29

Reference: v. 3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

Explore: God had instructed David to go and fight the Philistines even though he was in hiding from Saul. He was basically putting his neck out for the Keilah yet continuing to fulfil his purpose from God to fight for the people. However, his men saw the reality of this step and feared going the extra mile. However David obeyed God and the Philistines were overcome.

Application: I often feel it’s hard enough to live life on a day-to-day basis, just following my own goals and plans. But then to throw what God wants me to do into the mix, I too can feel like ‘David’s men’. It’s hard enough here, how much harder is it going to be if we follow God’s call somewhere else? And yet I can never recall reading in the gospels Jesus saying, ‘Come follow me and your life will be a breeze!’ Quite the contrary. Again and again he reminded us that the life of a disciple would be difficult, dangerous and risky but… eternally rewarding. It’s easy to focus on the reality like ‘David’s men’ did, however we must be courageous to follow God’s path, not the easy road.

Prayer: Lord God, I can get so consumed in my own plans and my own daily to-do-lists. I stop now and focus on you. What would you have me do today? … May I be your servant on earth today. Amen.

Death defying dedication

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:11:30 +0100

1 Samuel 22.6-23

Reference: v. 14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your body guard and highly respected in your household?

Explore: Saul was angry because Ahimelech had assisted David. He felt this was an act of betrayal from Ahimelech and yet he was only acting from what he saw of David. David had been Saul’s biggest supporter and helper. He had fought battles for Saul and stood by his side. Even when Saul had thrown a spear at David he had continued to live a life above reproach and honour his king.

Application: I wish I could say I am as dedicated and unfailing as David. It was almost like nothing could deter his dedication to his king. While the King I worship is so much greater, grander and gracious than Saul I still find myself falling short of my dedication and honour. Each time I learn something new about the King of Kings I am humbled at his majesty, I’m in awe of his wisdom, and I’m filled with hope at his love. I need to keep standing at the foot of the throne to learn more about my glorious King so I can be dedicated just like David.

Prayer: King of Kings and Lord of Lords, you are the Creator of all things and a mighty Saviour. Forgive me when I fail to stay true to your call. I rededicate my life to you today. Amen.

Small beginnings

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:12:45 +0100

1 Samuel 21.10-22.5

Reference: v. 22.2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Explore: When you say the name King David you think of someone powerful, strong, poetry, Bethsheba… you don’t think of someone hiding out in a cave and all those who felt outcast gathering towards him. And yet this is how David began. This wasn’t even his pre-king life, people were already acknowledging him and identifying him as king. And yet he was beginning his leadership in such a small and maybe what seemed like an insignificant way. However, David did not turn those people away. He didn’t say to them, Don’t you know who I am? He was dedicated even with a small band of outcasts.

Application: We never know what the future is going to hold for us but David teaches us to be dedicated with whatever we have in the present situation. To those who are diligent with the small, much will be given.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a person of integrity, to be responsible with everything that you have given us, the big and the small. Amen.

Rite or right?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:14:56 +0100

1 Samuel 21.1-9

Reference: v. 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.

Explore: David had fled from Saul, without any food or even without weapons. This priest could have turned him away and not helped him, as he had so little to offer David, and yet he gave what he had – even though it was meant for a different purpose.

Application: So often we can get caught up in ritual or instructions and do what is written instead of helping those who are right in front of our faces. We are on “David’s side” and so we know it was right for Ahimelech to give the bread to David and yet this would have been a difficult thing for the priest to hand over, as it was being used for a religious act. It’s important that we check ourselves regularly and make sure that our religious routines are not getting in the way of ministering to someone near.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being a personal and loving God. You know that disciplined actions are good for us as humans but you understand our everyday needs as well. Help us to also respond to those who cross our path today. Amen.

Spears and Signs

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:33:40 +0100

1 Samuel 20.1-42

Reference: v. 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.

Explore: Jonathan was looking for a sign. He was finding it hard to believe that his father would want to kill his close friend David. When it came to the crunch time of finding out his father;s hatred, he still seemed unsure. However, when Saul threw a spear at him I think it all became crystal clear. Luckily for Jonathan Saul was a terrible shot!

Application: It’s good to look for signs that God may give us to confirm a big decision we need to make. Sometimes we may be a little slow to notice the signs we’re given but God is very clear when we are making a decision about our walk with Him. The Holy Spirit is always there to guide and prompt us in God’s direction. Our job is to listen and respond.

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear your voice. Whether it is a gusting wind or a silent thought, may I understand your calling and be willing to respond, no matter what the cost. Amen.

Where you gonna run to?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:35:01 +0100

1 Samuel 19.1-24

Reference: v. 18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.

Explore: Saul had tried to kill David many times. Saul’s own son had tried to persuade him not to kill David. Saul had even sent assassins to his home to murder him. And when David finally escapes – for this chapter anyway! – where does he run? Into the arms of God’s messenger, Samuel. And it’s there that God moves in a powerful way over many people to protect David.

Application: There are always going to be difficult times in our lives. Hopefully not as challenging as someone trying to kill us, but certainly many difficult times come our way. Where do you run to? Do you try to cope all on your own? Or do you run into the arms of God? I know for myself, often it’s not until all other options have been proven void until I run to God for help. And yet he is the one who can do the miraculous, not me. He is the Creator of the world, so who better to run to and call on for help. Our loving, passionate, Heavenly Father is always there for us, crisis or not. All we need to do is whisper his name and find he’s been there the whole time.

Prayer: Ever-present Lord, thank you for being close to us every step of our day. But thank you for particularly drawing near when we need you most. Help us to rely solely on you in all things. Amen.

As humble as David

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:36:41 +0100

I Samuel 18.18-30

Reference: v. 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”

Explore: Samuel had anointed David above all his older brothers, he had slain Goliath, the women sang songs about his greatness and yet David was still humble and resistant to become the son-in-law of the king.

Application: Being up in front of people often, I have to check my pride regularly. It’s very easy to start thinking well of yourself whenever you receive some consistent compliments. However David is a great example of not letting our accomplishments go to our head. With all he had achieved and through every one he had conquered you would think he would have started planning his kingship right there and then. However he knew his place. He was a child of God. And when you come into the Maker’s presence regularly you can only stand humble before the King of Kings.

Prayer: Almighty Creator, forgive us of our pride. We know that we do all things through the strength and the gifts that you have given us. Let us not forget that we can do nothing without you. Amen.

What�s your opinion?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:37:39 +0100

1 Samuel 18.1-17

Reference: v. Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”

Explore: It would be hard for the even the most humble person to have a subordinate praised more than himself. Sure, Saul had turned from God; He had made the wrong choices and now young David was clearly becoming strong. But to hear the voice of your people sing praise to a warrior instead of the King; that would be hard for any King to handle.

Application: And yet, if Saul had have been more focussed on what God thought rather than what people thought, he may not be in this situation in the first place. And I don’t think he’s alone there! The opinion of the people around us often drowns out the opinion of our Lord and Saviour. We will often gauge the general opinion of our decisions before seeking the Heavenly opinion. Clearly Saul had the potential to be an awesome King, God wouldn’t have appointed him otherwise. Yet he put people’s opinions before God’s. We all have the potential to be awesome in our own fields, as long as we put God’s opinion first when making all our decisions.

Prayer: Lord, I’m sorry for putting other people’s opinions before yours. I praise you in the knowledge that you are the Creator of all and desire me to have ‘life to the fullest’. Thank you. Amen.

Significant Armour

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:45:28 +0100

1 Samuel 17.38-58

Reference: v. 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Explore: Goliath had surrounded himself with all his armour, David had left all the outward protection behind and surrounded himself with his faith in the Lord.

Application: Often we surround ourselves with the armour of the world and we don’t put our faith in the protection of our Lord. Our protective armour may not be tangible, it may be our self-confidence, our work title, our accomplishments, our good looks or even faith in our money. And yet, even Paul says that all these accomplishments are rubbish and that we should have faith purely in our Lord and Saviour. I know in my heart that it is only the Lord that I need, but I often find myself feeling safe and protected by my money or my title. And yet all these things will pass away. I should plant my hope in nothing less than Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me when I put my own accomplishments first. Today I reconfirm my whole-hearted faith in you. Amen.

Does anyone have the right time?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:47:40 +0100

I Samuel 17.1-37

Reference: v. 15 But David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

Explore: When David decided to fight Goliath, it was not the first time he had been with Saul’s army. It was not the first time Saul had met him and it was probably not the first time that he had heard Goliath’s cry. In the previous chapter we read that David was already playing the harp for King Saul when he was troubled and this verse tells us that he went back and forth to the army. And yet it was this particular time that David decided to stand up and fight. Was the news of the rewards that Saul would give rewarding enough to spur him on to battle, unlikely, and it hadn’t worked on anyone else! And yet there was something in this occasion where David felt more of the power of God upon him, and he stood up to fight.

Application: Cameron and I had been going along to the same annual event, doing the same tasks, contributing in the same areas for 3 years before we met each other. Sometimes we marvel at how we didn’t get to know each other sooner. And yet, looking back, it was the right timing. The things we both learnt in the previous years have helped prepare us for our marriage now. And I believe it was God’s timing that we met when we did. Sometimes we never find out why things happen when they do, but we do know we have an all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present Heavenly Father who wants the best for each one of His children.

Prayer: Father God, I praise you that you are in control and not bound by the time structure of our world. Help me to have your eternal perspective in every thing I do. Amen.

Who am I?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:40:19 +0100

1 Samuel 16.1-23

Reference: v. 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Explore: Even Samuel, a man of God for many years, looked with the eyes of a human upon Jesse’s sons and not with the eyes of the Lord. And yet he listened when God spoke to him of not choosing the eldest or biggest or strongest or the more obvious choice.

Application: So often, lately, I have found myself in the presence of people who are greater than I. People who are creative, artistic, hilarious, super-friendly, gorgeous, out going… and I have thought about the task of ministry that God has put before me. And I admit I have thought: who am I? I’m not the smartest, I’m not the wisest and I’m by no means the prettiest, and yet God has chosen me to work for him. This verse in 1 Sam has been very reassuring to me today. I must not focus on the importance that the world places on me but look at what God has seen in my heart and obey his call.

Prayer: Lord, I am often judgmental of people and don’t always look at someone’s heart, like you do. Thank you for being gracious and seeing the potential in me. I do desire to follow you. Amen.

Living to our Potential

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:38:46 +0100

1 Samuel 15.1-35

Reference: v.35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Explore: The Lord grieved. He actually had remorse for a decision he had made. He had appointed Saul, noticing the greatness and the strength and the possibility that he could carry. And yet Saul did not fulfil his responsibility as King of Israel.

Application: I wonder if the Lord is ever grieved over something that we do. God sees the best in us, the greatest potential, our most superior strengths, and yet we often decide to not live out of our strengths but instead cling to our weaknesses. I’m sure this too would grieve God. If we are to live a live pleasing to God, we must see the potential that God has placed on our hearts and do our best to live them out, every step or every day.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for often falling short of my potential. Help me to be more confident with the gifts that you have given me so I can bring glory to your name in all that I do. Amen.