QT 1/31/2023 2 Sam 1:11-16, Leadership requires consistency

2 Samuel 1:11–16 (ESV) —

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 And David said to the young man who told him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.” 14 David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” And he struck him down so that he died. 16 And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ”

 

NOTE: One of the keys to leadership is consistency. It does not mean that we do the same thing in every situation, but that the underlying principle(s) remains the same (that implies we have thought through our principles). David took God's revealed will to be sacrosanct. God chose Saul and so Saul was God's anointed. Only God could remove Saul. If he had been appointed by men, that might be a different story. David refused to lift a sword against Saul for that reason, and he did not let his men do so either, although many wanted to. The issue here is three-fold although David's men only differ at one point with the Amalekite. The first issue is that the death of Saul would hasten God's prophecy of David's kingship. The second issue is that men following David would stand to gain by Saul's death. The third issue is that a person took action to kill Saul, God's anointed (versus to suggest or tempt, but in this case act). David's men, probably many of them were guilty in their hearts of the first two, but none acted to kill Saul, the Lord's anointed. Therefore David's actions were consistent.

 

PONDER:

1. As I face decisions at work and home, am I working from a consistent set of principles?
2. Principles are best developed out of wisdom and knowledge -- what is my source?

 

PRAYER: Father, as I seek to be a witness to you in work as a leader, please help to act in a manner consistent with the principles you have shown me in the world. May I continue to wash my mind in your word so that those principles become deeply embedded in my life.

QT 1/30/2023 2 Sam 1:1-10, Be weary of the liar, the evil opportunist

2 Samuel 1:1–5 (ESV) —

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3 David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” …

 

NOTE: The young man and Amalekite tells David of the death of Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan. He carries the crown and an armlet, and he lies (vss. 6-10). While Saul did ask his armor-bearer to kill him, the armor-bearer refused. Saul intentionally fell on his sword and died. The armor-bearer did likewise. The Amalekite was an opportunist and a liar, an immoral man, who thought he could curry favor with the new king, since all the true witnesses were dead. There are always these type of men (and women), who will lie to their own advantage. They pretend to be your friends but all the time are using you to advance themselves. It is hard to be a leader. You never know who is honest and who is not. You never know who will twist your words to achieve their aims. Stupid leaders will fall for the emotional story. Greedy leaders will fall for the lie, if it achieves their goals. Loyalty and trust are always missing when lies are the product of their schemes. This reminds me of a verse God showed me when I commanded a squadron:

 

Psalm 62:3–4 (ESV) —

3 How long will all of you attack a man

to batter him,

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

but inwardly they curse. Selah

 

We need to trust in God and not in people.

 

Psalm 62:8 (ESV) —

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

 

And we need to remember, positions of authority are illusions. All men are created in the image of God. He does not see rank. We must never live for position or money.

 

Psalm 62:9–10 (ESV) —

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I truly seeking in my job?
2. What is my goal, my purpose?
3. Is it to reach as many as possible with the gospel, with a witness of Christ?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for where I am today. Help me to use my position as a witness of Christlikeness in leadership. If you give me new opportunities, I praise you, but I continue where I am, I will do my best to serve people where I am.

QT 1/27/2023 1 Sam 31, You never know how things will turn out during tragedy

1 Samuel 31:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.

 

NOTE: This is just as Samuel had predicted when the seer at Endor called him up from the place of the dead. This gives evidence that upon dying, we do not die, but enter into a different existence. At that time Paradise was in the earth, after Jesus' death it was closed down and the people were led to heaven by Jesus. This is a crazy week in the life of David, since he reaches a low point (the loss of his and his men's families), then the recovery, and then to be followed by the death of Saul and his family which would lead to his kingship (at least over Judah). The ups and downs are quite a rollercoaster of emotions. God brings good out of the evil because that is his promise to those he loves.

 

PONDER:

1. Rather than sulking in self-pity, do we look to God for his good out of the situation?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am not very good at seeking the good when I am in pain. It is so overwhelming, that sometimes we can't even think. Give us strength to turn our eyes upon you, as your little children.

QT 1/26/2023 1 Sam 30:21-25, Being a supporter not a detractor

1 Samuel 30:21–25 (ESV) —

21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” 23 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. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.

 

NOTE: Apparently this precedent of David's lasted for many centuries. The ideas are biblical. There are a few basic principles embedded in the rule. One, the spoil is not earned by the individual but given by God. Two, the fact that a person lives through a battle is in itself a gift from God. Three, every part of a military operation is important and each part should be rewarded evenly. Logistical support is just as important as operations.

 

The second thing of note is that even a well-trained force has its share of "wicked and worthless fellows." These men are the ones who can always tell you why something is wrong. These men are greedy. These men don't recognize God's work if they ran full speed into a miraculously appearing wall. These men are the same ones who waste the time of the leader and do more harm than good.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think of others when God blesses or only of myself?
2. Am I an encourager of my boss or an Eeyore?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to be a positive force at work and not a negative. I pray my bosses would see me as a supporter. I pray my employees would see my as an encourager.

QT 1/25/2023 1 Sam 30:11-20, Waiting on God's better plan

1 Samuel 30:11 (ESV) —

11 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink,

…

1 Samuel 30:13–14 (ESV) —

13 And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. 14 We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.”

…

1 Samuel 30:17–19 (ESV) —

17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. 18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all.

 

NOTE: It is fortuitous that David's men found a slave who had been in the original party that destroyed Ziklag. And it is amazing that David's 400 men (200 could not continue because of exhaustion), defeated a much larger army such that 400 of the enemy fled by camel. And it is incredible, that of all the spoil, nothing was missing and nobody died. This is a miracle. And the spoils, greatly increase David's wealth and his troops as well (even at the expense of other Judahites). At the same time, Saul was already dead in a battle against the Philistines. Not only does God rescue David from participating in a battle that would have given him the throne, he comes back wealthy and in better shape to take the next step in God's plan. I am sure this is not the plan that David would have drawn up.

 

PONDER:

1. I need to see how God solves my problems, not how I try to solve them. How am I doing at that?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I need to wait and see what you do. Help me to be faithful in the things you call me to do. Help me to trust you.

QT 1/24/2023 1 Sam 30:1-6, Bringing God into the everyday

1 Samuel 30:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire 2 and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 3 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 5 David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

 

NOTE: Some people argue that this was the result of David's deceit. I'm sure the talk of stoning surely questioned his tactics and the decision to live with the Philistines. Still, when David calls upon God (the first time that is mentioned in the last few chapters), he does not confess sin. On the other hand, the question seems obvious, "should I go after them?" Of course would be the answer. But the fact that David seeks God before acting is in apparent contradiction to the record of his recent actions. Either way, bringing God into even the most basic issues is never a bad choice.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I bring God into the most basic decisions of my life or do I almost always rely on my own human wisdom?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do not want to rely upon myself. I know you have given us knowledge and wisdom to make decisions, but I can still seek you and bring you into those decisions. Holy Spirit work in my heart to lead and guide me in correct choices.

 

QT 1/23/2023 1 Sam 29:4-9, Is it ever appropriate to lie?

1 Samuel 29:4–9 (ESV) —

4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? 5 Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,

and David his ten thousands’?”

6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’

 

NOTE: This story is difficult. I believe it was David's intent to appear as King Achish's friend, while he was actually his enemy. King Saul saw David as his enemy, when really he was a loyal servant. David is certainly misleading Achish in his intent. David is playing the spycraft/diplomacy game well. In order to play that game, one must be deceitful. Rahab, a distant grandmother to him did similarly. Was it wrong? God does not comment. Ultimately, the events of this story and next chapter give David an alibi to not have been involved in Saul's death. In fact, David and his men will be many miles away killing Amalekites when Saul and his sons die.

 

I have to believe that this game of deceit, or even lifestyle of deceit is only appropriate in the affairs of nations. The letter of the law, "do not lie," can only be overturned by the spirit of the law, "love your neighbor." In order to protect his men and to stop Saul from wasting precious resources hunting David down, David deceitfully had made himself an asset to the Philistines -- because, he loved his men, and he loved his nation. But this is the exception to the rule.

 

The general rule is always honesty. Few of us are ever involved in national affairs.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I honest in my relationship with my employees and in my business dealings? That is the standard. Employees and business have nothing to do with the battle of nations.

 

PRAYER: Father, there are seldom ever reasons to lie, but when it comes to hurting someone unnecessarily, maybe there are a few legitimate cases. Jesus said that the whole law is summed up in one command, love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Help me Spirit to obey the spirit of the law, that is to love.

QT 1/20/2023 1 Sam 28:16-20, Never give up obeying

1 Samuel 28:16–20 (ESV) —

16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

 

NOTE: Actions have consequences. Lately that phrase is used with elections. In this case, the principle is true. There are irrevocable decisions in the kingdom of God that no amount of repentance can change. They are usually physical, but can affect a person spiritually as well (such as Pharaoh when his two hardenings of his heart led God to harden afterwards). Although, if one repents and believes, that does change a person's spiritual future. But if you lived your life in drink, and ruined your liver, repenting will not change the physical consequences of your choices (unless God miraculously heals which is always a possibility). There is one exception to the spiritual rule, and that is during the tribulation. Once you receive the mark of the beast (which includes a declaration of faith/submission to the antichrist), there is no spiritual recovery. Actions have consequences unless God in his mercy and grace, for his reason, chooses otherwise.

 

PONDER:

1. Is there an area where I am not being obedient to the command of God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do want to be obedient. I know I will always struggle against sin. I have a sinful flesh. I never want to get to the point where I give up in my battle against any particular sin. I want to repent. I want to ask your Spirit for more help to say no to the temptations of the world.

QT 1/19/2023 1 Sam 28:9-15, Seek him now, you do not want to wait

1 Samuel 28:9–15 (ESV) —

9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”

 

NOTE: I believe, by the woman's response, that this had not happened before. She actually saw a person coming back from the dead. Prior to Jesus' victory on the cross, Paradise was located below, in the earth across from Hades with a large gap between the two areas. Everyone who died went "down" into the earth into one of the two areas. I doubt anyone could call up a person from Paradise, also called Abraham's bosom. I doubt if anyone could call up an individual from Hades. If they did it was most likely a demon faking another person. It is to Satan's advantage for people to believe in some spiritual world, just as long as it doesn't represent the real truth. I believe God allowed Samuel to come up, his words which follow Samuel's answer are too true and prophetic to be a demon.

 

The bigger question is why did Saul stoop so low? He answers in his response to Samuel. He was in "great distress," (he was suffering emotionally), the Philistines were warring (his power, position, and authority was at risk), God has turned away (he was suffering spiritually), and no prophet answers (he was alone, he was suffering socially). Yeah, this is about the time most people turn to God. And sometimes it is too late. Those choices were made a long time ago. God will not correct your mess. The wise choice is to begin to seek God now when times are good rather than wait for the bad times when you come falling at his feet.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we seeking God now or living for ourselves?
2. What is it going to take to turn your life around? Let me give you a clue -- God will go where you do not want to go.

 

PRAYER: Father, you have taken me through some dark valleys early in my life. And while they were 30-plus years ago, the pain is still there. I don't want to live that life again. I want to seek you while I can with my whole heart and soul.

QT 1/18/2023 1 Sam 28:3-8, Don't stop at repentance

1 Samuel 28:3–8 (ESV) —

3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”

8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.”

 

NOTE: Saul seeking a medium may be the lowest point in his life. He was deserted by God, but he was the one who allowed himself to give in to sin and lies. His action, observed by two men he apparently trusted, was a capital offense. He would die within the day.

 

Leviticus 20:6 (ESV) — 6 “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

 

When Samuel had died (in chapter 25), the story of Nabal begins, that ultimately results in David marrying a godly woman, Abigail. Thematically, Saul is hurt by the loss of Samuel, although he seldom met with him. Saul never had a spiritual resource because he never truly sought one. He only sought counsel when he was scared, scared for his own life. He was never a person after God's heart, like David. Saul's life is a series of bad choices. He needed to break the chain. Breaking the cycle requires repentance (which Saul showed at times), but also replacing the bad behavior with good behavior (put off, put on). It was the latter where he failed. He would repent but he never took the next step, such as prayer and reading the scriptures.

 

We can make a lot of mistakes and fail at times, but if we remain committed to repentance and seeking God, we will overcome our sins.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we repent and stop there?
2. What is our plan after repentance to seek God? What are the specifics?

 

PRAYER: Father, you know I fail you in many ways. You know my heart. I do want to know you more fully. I want to seek you. I want my life to exhibit you to others. Give me grace to grow to be more like my savior, Jesus.

QT 1/17/2023 1 Sam 27:8-12, Planning and prayer

1 Samuel 27:8–12 (ESV) —

8 Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. 9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. 10 When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.” 11 And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’ ” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.”

 

NOTE: The passage is difficult and there are a number of things that seem questionable. We need to remember Israel never finished conquering the promised land. David attacked only groups that God had commanded Israel to extinguish, so killing all occupants fulfilled the original commandment and, at the same time, provided cover for his actions. His lying to the Philistine king kept his men and their families alive. In this case, the loving thing was to not tell the Philistine leader the truth. His living in Ziklag was actually territory given to Judah/Simeon by God. Ultimately his actions recovered that city for Israel. Technically, he did not leave the promised land, but he lived in parts that had not yet been conquered. And lastly, by leaving Israel "proper," that is the land Israel had conquered, he stopped Saul from hunting him down and potentially put Saul in a position of doing something good for Israel instead of wasting his resources hunting David.

 

Up to now, David's actions have been driven by Saul's actions. He waited, but acted prudently to what Saul did. This story is different. David seems to scheme and take things into his own hands. The plan is brilliant. He finds a secure base. He stops the constant chasing by Saul. He can feed and pay for his troops by raiding. And he expands the borders of Israel by conquering areas in the promised land.

 

My biggest question has nothing to do with the lying, living with the enemy, or destroying towns -- where do we draw the line in terms of waiting and acting on our schemes? It doesn't say that David prayed and then came up with this plan. But given the number of psalms that David wrote during this time, he was clearly walking with God. And, He had positive feedback in his life now with Abigail. Maybe this was the result of walking with God and developing a plan of action.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I take my plans to God before I act?
2. Do I ask God for wisdom before I plan?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me wisdom as I make plans for the future. Help me choose my actions and words wisely. Use me for a good work and to make a difference in people's lives.

QT 1/16/2023 1 Sam 26:21-25, Obey the law of the harvest: do good

1 Samuel 26:21–25 (ESV) —

21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

 

NOTE: David says "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness." This is called 'the spiritual law of the harvest' principle. And while the idea is embedded in the OT law, the principle is still true in the new covenant (although the fruits are not always seen in this life). The law is based on planting and harvesting. If you don't plant, you don't harvest. If you plant wheat, you harvest wheat. If you plant weeds, you harvest weeds. If you plant righteousness, you harvest righteousness. Today, people hide the biblical concept in words like karma. But it is a principle that God has established. Paul reiterates it to the Galatians.

 

Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

You may not see the results of your good works in this life, but you will receive a reward in this life or the life to come.

 

Mark 10:29–30 (ESV) — 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

 

1 Timothy 6:18–19 (ESV) — 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

 

It is important to do good every day. You may not see any results, but we must take God at his word. Choose good, not expedient, nor questionable.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I consider the implications of my decisions from God's point of view?

 

PRAYER: Father, I must do good, that is part of my ministry and part of the reason I am here on earth. Give me grace to resist the enemy and to be rich in good works.

QT 1/13/2023 1 Sam 26:8-12, Getting around God's command with self-deceptions

1 Samuel 26:8–12 (ESV) —

8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” 10 And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.

 

NOTE: The sons of Zeruiah would be known for their violence. They saw opportunity and took it. I would not say that scripture described them as men of faith. They were men of action, but they usually acted on what they saw and not what they trusted God to do. This is a good example. Abishai suggests the same approach to David that David had rejected in the cave and the approach that Abigail had rebuked David on the way to Nabal's home. Fortunately, David (for whatever reason -- maybe it was his new wife Abigail) is now acting as he formerly did, as a man of God. He rejects the advice of Abishai to seize the moment and kill his enemy. Abishai even offers to do the act, a subtle way of getting around David's distaste for raising his hand against God's anointed. But David knows that little self-deceptions do not make an act acceptable that was not acceptable before. That is our problem as well, we attempt to get around truth by telling ourselves half-truths, playing games with words, or re-interpreting God's law to our advantage.

 

PONDER:

1. I know the right thing to do -- what is it that I am trying to circumvent rather than wait upon God?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me from speeding things up or bringing about my own justice by my actions. I want to see you act.

QT 1/12/2023 1 Sam 25:32-42, Making right choices

1 Samuel 25:32–35 (ESV) —

32 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 34 For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” 35 Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.”

1 Samuel 25:42 (ESV) —

42 And Abigail hurried and rose and mounted a donkey, and her five young women attended her. She followed the messengers of David and became his wife.

 

NOTE: There are a number of similarities between David and Saul in these passages. David, nearly wipes out a clan, much as Saul did in Nob. The difference is that David listened to godly wisdom (from a very wise woman) and Saul did not listen to anyone (his guards refused to act). David acted in emotional haste, much as Saul had been doing. One has to wonder if some of the malcontents David had picked up were beginning to affect him (bad company corrupts good morals). Abigail's wisdom prevent a potentially disastrous event with future repercussions on David's role as king. And the subsequent death of her husband and David's taking her as his wife, provides a source of good spiritual input into David's life. His wife protects him spiritually from going down the path of some of his men, and then allows him to be the spiritual leader to his men that he needed to be in the first place. In the next story, David will have another opportunity to kill Saul, but he does the right thing again. One wonders, if it was not for Abigail, David would have started down a path of vengeance, each action becoming easier than the last.

 

The line is so close.

 

Genesis 4:7 (ESV) — If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

 

There are choices and the consequent actions which are unrecoverable. Sin can be forgiven, but the effects of sin can last your whole life. David was at one of those points. Saul was at that point when he waited for Samuel before the battle. But there are many of these decisions. Our choices can dictate our future and our family's future. Yes, sin can be forgiven, but there is no guarantee on the consequences.

 

PONDER:

1. What choices am I facing and how am I going to react?
2. What is the wise choice?
3. Whom can I ask for wisdom in helping me make that choice?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me from poor choices. Help me to choose well. Have mercy on me when I fail. I want to rely on you and the Holy Spirit within me to make the right choices.

QT 1/11/2023 1 Sam 25:23-31, Finding a good force

1 Samuel 25:23–24 (ESV) —

23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.

1 Samuel 25:30–31 (ESV) —

30 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, 31 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. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

 

NOTE: Abigail responds to her husband Nabal's foolish response in a very humble way and yet also rebukes David for "working salvation himself." In verse 33, David acknowledges her rebuke. David knew what was right, but in the moment of high emotion, he almost makes a major mistake. No doubt, some of the company he kept, the outcasts and trouble makers, were beginning to influence him. I believe in the long run, David will be the one influencing them, but as seen in the cave, they are quick to see circumstances or opportunity as justification for doing the wrong thing. Abigail saves him this time. And Abigail will become his wife because Saul gave Michal to another. She is that hidden and quiet good force that God uses to remind him of what is right.

 

PONDER:

1. We all live in a fallen world. Who is that good force in my life that reminds me of God's truth?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the encouragement of my life and the good things that she shares with me. Keep me from evil men who can turn me away from truth. I pray for good friendships to encourage me in my walk with you.

QT 1/10/2023 1 Sam 25:9-13, The danger of selfishness

1 Samuel 25:9–13 (ESV) —

9 When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. 10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 11 Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” 12 So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. 13 And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage.

 

NOTE: In one sentence, Nabal uses seven first-person references. He is clearly self-centered and given his personality assessment in verse 3, "the man was harsh and badly behaved," he was probably a narcissist. Weller defines the disorder as:

 

"selfishness at the expense of others, plus the inability to consider others’ feelings at all." <https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/am-i-dating-a-narcissist#What-is-a-narcissist?>

 

We all struggle with aspects of selfishness: a need to be recognize, pride in our accomplishments, a sense of entitlement (when we have bought something expensive), envy, and a lack of empathy. The difference is that our sinful behavior does not rise to the extreme. But we are all in danger of becoming that person, a Nabal, if we do not take actions to prevent.

 

For instance, how many times have we become upset because of how our food was done in a restaurant or how a worker has treated us in a store? We all display a sense of entitlement, no matter our income.

 

What must we do to avoid becoming a narcissist?

1. Pray for others. When we pray for others, we take the focus off of our self.
2. Give an increasing amount of our money to charities. As we give away what God has given, we realize that it really is all owned by God anyway.
3. Read the scriptures daily. The word of God can wash away sinful thoughts and restore our mind that is corrupted because of our sinful self.
4. Serve in ministries that care for the poor or prisoners. As we see the struggles of people, we may not understand how they got there, but are hearts are touched.

 

PONDER:

1. I may not show all the signs of a Narcissist Personality Disorder (NPD), but do I recognize the selfishness and pride within myself?
2. What am doing or going to do to deal with my selfishness or sense of entitlement?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I have many characteristics of NPD, but my problem is me and sin, not some disorder that is beyond help. The Holy Spirit has already greatly changed me, especially in the area of empathy. More recently I have seen progress in humility as well. Continue to protect me from sin and provide my daily needs. Continue to change me to become more like Jesus.

QT 1/9/2023 1 Sam 24:14-22, Trusting God's will versus making God's will

1 Samuel 24:14–22 (ESV) —

14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

 

NOTE: Chapter 24 contains the longest quotations of both David and Saul in the book. The author saw this event and the words as a key moment. Even when "fate" presented an opportunity for David to "speed up" the prophecy, David would not sin (raise his hand against God's anointed) to achieve his desire. David also did an excellent job of rebuking Saul without directly blaming. David said that evil men have brought up the idea of David harming him (verse 9). And lastly, David chided Saul for wasting of resources to pursue him rather than Israel's enemies by humbly calling himself (David) a dead dog and a flea.

 

For his part, Saul's response is full of repentance, regret, and sane acknowledgment of David's future kingdom. He even asks that David protect his family and his name in the future, which David immediately agrees.

 

Yesterday the Pastor shared that discovering God's will was 1) discerning your passion for good in the kingdom, and 2) understanding what will require faith in God's power to see done. David could have achieved kingship in his power, but he chose to act in faith and wait. There is a level of prudence, but the level must not tarry near the line of sin or perceived sin.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my passion for good in the kingdom?
2. What will require me to wait upon God?

 

PRAYER: Lord, you know my answers to these questions. What I desire cannot happen without your direct involvement. I must be prudent but I must not sin. I will wait and I will pray to see what will happen.

QT 1/5/2023 1 Sam 23:19-24, Obeying God or man

1 Samuel 23:19–24 (ESV) —

19 Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon? 20 Now come down, O king, according to all your heart’s desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.” 21 And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me. 22 Go, make yet more sure. Know and see the place where his foot is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he is very cunning. 23 See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you. And if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.” 24 And they arose and went to Ziph ahead of Saul.

Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.

 

NOTE: Not much is known of the Ziphites, although they are descendants of Caleb, a man of faith and renown. Their willingness to give up a fellow Judahite is saddening, but also shows the power of fear. People will do evil things when in fear of their lives. Saul's madness and actions against Nob had terrified the people. Ziph, rather than waiting for Saul to hear they knew about David, act first and take their information to Saul. They were, in a sense, obeying the Lord's anointed and so the line is very blurry. David has been accused of insurrection, but there was no evidence.

 

The future antichrist will use the same techniques of fear to silence people and even cause people to commit evil against one another. Even now, people are silenced from speaking up out of fear of losing a job. Where will it end? What about their retirement savings or pensions? Will those also be at risk someday?

 

Still, we must not be like the Ziphites. We must look at the situation through the lens of scripture and do what it is right. We must obey the government as long as it does not violate the commands of God.

 

PONDER:

1. Peter once said to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish governing authority), shall we obey God or man? Who will I obey?

 

PRAYER: Father, this is very hard. It is very difficult to find that line. Give me wisdom to do my work (for which I am paid) and to share the gospel through my lifestyle (at work), and share in words when I am not at work.

QT 1/4/2023 1 Sam 23:11-14, Remembering to go to God first

1 Samuel 23:11–14 (ESV) —

11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. 14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

 

NOTE: One can't really blame the city of Keilah. After what happened to the priests at Nob, who is going to have mercy for a city on the border with the Philistines? Additionally, the fear of David's men is understandable -- they weren't exactly the cream of the crop, but rather the outcasts of society. Fear seems to be the resounding them in these chapters. Also, the author spends a great deal of time relating how David made his decisions. Even though David was a great military leader, he always inquires of God first. Again and again, he goes to God. Today, we don't have the ephod, but we do have prayer. And we can trust God to reveal his will to us.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I pray first?
2. Or do I only pray when things start to go awry?

 

PRAYER: Father, I have a number of decisions I am facing. I want to do the right thing. Give me wisdom and direction to choose correctly. Also, give family members direction in some big decisions they are facing.

QT 1/3/2023 1 Sam 22:14-19, Speaking up during evil days

1 Samuel 22:14–19 (ESV) —

14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house? 15 Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.” 16 And the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.” 17 And the king said to the guard who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword.

 

NOTE: It is hard to describe Saul's action as anything but plain evil--the act of a demon-possessed man. Even his loyal guards refuse his command to kill the priests. But another evil man, Doeg the Edomite, takes advantage of the opportunity to curry favor with the mad king and execute servants of the Lord. The killing extended to the families, the wives and children of the priests, and even to the ox, donkeys, and sheep. The city was destroyed because they did what was right, but evil prevailed this day. What shocks me is that there is not more outrage. We are outraged when good men do the wrong thing, but we hold our peace when evil men do evil, why? I think we fear saying what we should when evil men are in charge. We are much more vocal against those we consider fair.

 

Today, evil seems to reign and we are quiet. Why? Because we fear for our life. But we need to do the right thing, even when called to stand before the evil authorities. We need to be bold in sharing our faith. Evil may appear to win, but ultimately everyone on the side of God will stand victorious. Even those families of Nob. They are waiting for the day of the Lord to come.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I afraid to say what is right?
2. Am I afraid of the authorities who are in charge?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray to stand up for what is right. I pray for your leading and guiding in this new year.