The Great Conductor

# 235 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:18,19, “Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him." 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." (1 Sam 16:18,19) Saul is in need of a court musician and it just so happens that a servant in the king's court knows of a shepherd boy named David who fits the bill! This musician would be perfect for a king who is obsessed with outward appearances!. He is a skillful musician, and carries himself like a mighty warrior. He is brave, bold, a battler, and at the same time he speaks eloquently, (just read the Psalms!) he's handsome, and to top it all off, the Lord is with him. What does it mean that the Lord is with someone? How is it that someone else makes note of the presence of the Lord in someone's life? In this case we get a little clue in 1Sa 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.” David behaved wisely, that is, he measured his behavior in accordance with God's Word. When a believer is yielded to the Holy Spirit, wise behavior is a natural outcome. The Bible becomes their guide for living. The more one yields the more noticeable will be the presence of the Lord in one's life. This yielding is key if we would desire that others would see Jesus in us. One more thing. God planted that servant in Saul's court because He wanted David to be there. He orchestrated the whole thing. Take heart from this passage if you find yourself in a tizzy about things in your future. God is in the business of orchestrating. He orchestrates the whole universe according to His good and gracious will. Observe nature and see God orchestrate. Read Scripture and see God orchestrate. Reflect on your own life and see where God has orchestrated, and take comfort. God has not forgotten you, and you are a vital part of His composition. The situation you are in has purpose, endure, trusting the Great Conductor.

Musick Has Charms To Soothe A Savage Breast

# 234 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:15-17, “And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 "Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well." 17 So Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me." (1 Sam 16:15-17) William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, wrote, “ Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks or bend a knotted Oak.” He wrote that in 1697, but clearly the idea has been around a lot longer than that! Right or wrong, the harp is the musical instrument associated with angels. There is something especially soothing about the sound of a skillfully played harp. I have worked in radio for nearly forty years now, and whenever we want a listener to picture heaven, we would always break out the harp music beds. We know that the musician called to this task of soothing Saul was none other than David, the shepherd boy. It is highly unlikely that he was toting around the big and bulky harp of today's musicians. More likely it was a small stringed lyre type of instrument. Nonetheless, he was a skillful musician, and it worked! This is not the only time we read of the soothing effect of music in Scripture. The prophet Elisha was called to give a word from the Lord concerning a possible battle with the Moabites. But, disturbed by the sinful leadership in Israel, he felt he needed to calm down a bit and so he asked for a musician. 2Ki 3:15 says, "But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.” Adam Clarkes commentary on this verse states that this music “ likely rendered “him more susceptible” to “the prophetic influence.” Scripture places a high value on music. Who knows? The songs sung in your house of worship or that are played on your favorite Christian radio station may speak peace to those who need it, and even open up their hearts and minds to the prophetic influence of the spoken word of God. No wonder the Scriptures tell us to speak “ to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (Eph 5:19)

Don't Take Thy Holy Spirit From Me

# 233 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. Saul, having rejected God as evidenced by his persistent disobedience, is now rejected by God. The Holy Spirit which had been given to Saul by God, is now removed. What a frightening experience for Saul. All the good things we talked about yesterday, yes and even more are all removed. No longer able to outwit the enemy, no more protection from affliction, no more obstacles for the enemy to overcome, he now has free access to Saul. But even then, the enemy is only allowed to go as far as God allows. The enemy is never allowed to supplant the eventual good and perfect will of the Lord. Later on we will hear of Saul's lament over this departure of the Holy Spirit when he says in 1Sa 28:15b, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams.” It is a terrible thing to be cut off from the living God! And the distressing spirit that came upon Saul from the devil absolutely terrified him. No wonder David pleaded with God after he was caught in sin with Bathsheeba, Ps 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. This section of Scripture simply serves as a grave warning to all who will hear. All who reject God in this life, will be rejected by God in the next. Jesus said in Lu 9:26, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.” The terror of Saul caused by the lack of anything good and the absence of God, will be owned for eternity for those who reject His Son. Ps 73:19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. Therefore repent! Come back to Jesus and be spared the terrors of hell.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

# 232 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:12,13, “So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. (1 Sam 16:12,13) He was ruddy. That's a term you don't hear very often. It basically means he was a redhead. This was a big day for the shepherd boy. It was the day the Holy Spirit came upon him to equip him for the tasks that lay before Him. I don't care what you believe about when the Holy Spirit arrived in your life....it's a big day for you too. Because you too become equipped for the tasks that lay before you as a member of the Body of Christ. Listen to what the Holy Spirit says about this day in Ps 89:20-24, “ I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. 24 "But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. God promises strength through the Holy Spirit. He promises guile to outwit the enemy who comes at us with his weapons of doubt, accusations, and lies. He promises protection from affliction, (the devil can only afflict as far as God allows) God will let His Holy Spirit filled people experience victory over the devil, and set up obstacles in the enemies attacks. (Oh if we could but see the spiritual battles that God takes up on our behalf! Thank You Jesus!) The Holy Spirit brings God's faithfulness and mercy and strength with Him. What more do we need? This same Holy Spirit desires to work in all believers. Thank God for this wonderful gift! Don't grieve Him! Work with Him, don't neglect Him. Foster your relationship with Him through hearing and doing the Word of God.

Will You Be Among the 144,000?

# 231 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:8-11, “So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." (1 Sam 16:8-11) Jesse had eight boys. It was only natural for him to leave the youngest at home to watch the sheep while he and the rest of the boys went to the sacrifice. Samuel's instructions from God was to anoint one of Jesse's children to be the new king of Israel, but lo and behold none of the first seven are chosen by God. So Samuel asks, “Are all the young men here?” And the implication of Jesse's answer is that the one left behind would probably not be a candidate for kingship. I can't help but think of Jesus' words, “but many who are first will be last, and the last first.” The true meaning of this statement, is that many who appear to be first in line for the kingdom, will actually be excluded because all they cared about was looking good on the outside. Meanwhile the humble, quiet servant of the Lord with a true faithful and cleansed heart will be the one included. And Samuel says, go get him, we will not sit down at this feast until he is present!” Oh what good news! When the Lord comes again to take His humble servants to heaven, not one will be missing. Not one who believes and is baptized will be excluded. This is one of the great messages of the Book of Revelation! In the end, the Lamb standing on Mt Zion with the 144,000. This number symbolically represents the complete church, with 12 being the number for the fruit of the OT patriarchs, and 12 also the number of the fruit of the NT Apostles. 12 times 12 times 1000 (the number of perfect completion. (10x10x10) which gives us the 144,000 with the Father's name written on their foreheads. None will be missing! “Blessed are those who (like David) are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” (Rev 19:9) God has called and is calling you now to place your faith in Jesus and be saved. How will you respond? Will you be among the 144,000 or not?

So Easily Duped By Outward Appearances

# 230 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:6, 7 “So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:6,7) Samuel evidently has clued Jesse in on God's plan to anoint one of his sons as the new king of Israel and Jesse begins to parade his sons before Samuel. He starts with his eldest son Eliab. Samuel is immediately smitten by his looks and stature. He definitely looked like king material. But wait a minute Samuel. Haven't you learned either? Saul was chosen as king because of his great physical characteristics and look how that turned out! God, immediately corrects Samuel's line of thinking and reminds him that God looks at the heart of a man, not at outward appearances. Don't miss the truth found in God's correction of Samuel, because it is just as true today as it was back then. “Man looks at the outward appearance,” It's what we do. It's what sells magazines and cars and everything else in this world....outward appearance. It even sells false Christianity. We are so easily duped by outward appearances, Aren't you glad that we're not in charge on Judgment Day. God is! He sees the true condition of a man's heart, and the hypocrite, who has counted on his outward show of religion will be found wanting, and will be weeded out. This truth was brought home in the parable of the wheat and the tares. While growing, the two plants are virtually indistinguishable, but God sees, He knows the difference between the two, and the tares, (the hypocrites) will be gathered by the angels on the Last Day and tossed into the fire. This is why it is vital that we continually examine our own motives in connection to the Body of Christ. Is looking good more important to us than being real? The answer to that question will go a long way in determining the condition of our own heart.

God Is On Top Of Your Situation

# 229 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" 5 And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. I find it interesting that the first question the people ask Samuel is “Do you come peaceably?” The response to that question quells two separate fears. First of all the fear of the people concerning Samuel's visit. A prophet didn't usually pop in at Bethlehem and the elders feared that they had done something to raise the ire of God. Samuel immediately calms their fears when he answers, “Peaceably I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Secondly that answer ought to ring a bell with Samuel because the Lord had told him that when people asked him what he was up to, he was to tell them, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” The very question of the elders, gives opportunity to Samuel to calm his fears. God is in this all the way because the answer is word for word as God said it would be! Samuel has nothing to fear from Saul, the Lord is with him! Take this and run with it my friend, for it proves again, that nothing that happens to you today is going to catch God by surprise. God is on top of your situation. He is not up in heaven wringing His hands in worry over what may befall you today. And remember this: Ro 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The same God who walked ahead of Samuel with His love, walks ahead of you. He calmed Samuel's fears and the fears of the people, allow Him to calm your fears as well.

Morsels of Opportunity

# 228 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:2 And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 "Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you." I mentioned last time that Samuel was likely in the midst of a personal pity party and look at his first response to God's charge to snap out of it and go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king. He reaches into his excuse bag. If that isn't typical, I don't know what is. We don't like to leave our pity parties do we? I love the Lord's response to Samuel. He doesn't say, “aw don't worry, He won't kill you.” No, He makes no such promise. He just gives him some preliminary instructions, some steps to take to show God that he is all in. But even in these instructions we find the promise that God will be with Samuel until he gets the job done. He doesn't say, “if you make it that far you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” No! He says “You shall anoint for Me.” So, here are God's simple instructions to Samuel. Go to Bethlehem, take a heifer with you. If anyone asks what you are up to, just say you are going to sacrifice to the Lord. When you get to Bethlehem be sure to invite Jesse and his family to the sacrifice. If I'm Samuel. I'm asking, “Then what?” But there is no, then what. Only a “do these things, and then I will tell you what.” Samuel, was a man of faith, and a man of faith doesn't need the whole story to act. A man of faith knows that all he needs to do is to take care of what God puts on his plate at the moment, one thing at a time. God will take care of the results and provide further instructions when necessary. This is a good thing to know and a great way to live. The Levite and the priest left the man in the ditch because they had other things on their plate, and they missed the morsel that God had placed before them. The Good Samaritan didn't. Look for those little morsels of opportunities to be obedient in your life today, and then take them.

A Holy Slap To the Head

# 227 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons." God delivers a mild rebuke to Samuel, who had returned to Ramah and spent his time mourning for Saul, and running a school for prophets. This school was given an off-hand mention in 1Sa 19:19 Now it was told Saul, saying, "Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!" 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. You, know, it seems like Samuel was having a little bit of a pity party. I recognize the symptoms far too well. First of all the people had rejected Samuel's leadership when they demanded a king, then the king the people wanted turned out to be a real dud. Samuel probably had enough, and cloistered himself away from the world, concentrating on raising up men of God. Of and by itself, that's not a bad idea, but with the inauguration of the first king, the duty of Samuel to anoint another was inescapable. It's time for Samuel to give up on the pity party and get on with the business of anointing a new king. Thanks for the holy slap to the head God! “Now Samuel, fill your horn with oil, be filled with the Holy Spirit and leave the walls of the church, I have a job for you!” Samuel's job was to anoint a new king! Go, and get on with it! Are you in the midst of a pity party right now. Things haven't gone the way you would like and now you have pulled away, cloistering yourself away from interaction with the church? With the world? How long will you mourn? Receive this holy slap in the head, fill your horn with oil and follow where the Lord will lead you. Pity parties are downward spirals to dead ends! Breakout! Rediscover joy as you do the Lord's bidding,...... one task at a time.

Your Soul Matters To God

# 226 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. (1 Sam 15:34,35) For the second time in this chapter we read of the Lord's regret over making Saul king of Israel, and Samuel's mourning as well. (See 1Sa 15:11) This repetition should cause us to consider the importance of this event. This is a somber moment in heaven itself as God sighs deeply over the lost condition of Saul. The word “repent” here means “to sigh deeply.” I think we've all heard that sigh at one time or another, it is usually associated with extreme disappointment over something we did or didn't do, and is a precursor of action that must be regrettably taken by someone in authority over us. God does not take glee over the death of the wicked but “that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?' (Ezek 33:11) Just as there is great glee in heaven over every sinner who repents, so there is also great sorrow over those who don't. Your soul matters to God! As God sighs over what He must do to the unrepentant Saul, Samuel also mourns and I am reminded of the tears that Jesus shed over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 "For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 "and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." Jesus weeps over the lost! Your soul matters to God! Repent! Turn to Jesus and live!

The Blood of Abel Cries Out

# 225 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:33 “But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. (1 Sam 15:33) This is an example of justice being rendered. As the sword of Agag made women childless, so now his mother was being made childless by the sword. But let's not get caught up in the method of the sentence carried out against Agag, but rather let us consider the obvious. To say that God does not take kindly to the killing of children and the spilling of INNOCENT blood would be an understatement. We learn of His disdain for the slaughter of innocents early on in the book of Genesis when Cain slew his brother Abel: Ge 4:10 And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. Later in De 12:31, He warns the people against the practice of child sacrifice, calling it an abomination, "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.” And in Pr 6:16 we read, “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Many in the church are tired of hearing about the issue of abortion and have put it on the back burner. I caution against this since it made the list of things that God hates! We must talk about it! God has not changed His mind about the sanctity of life. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He hates the killing of innocents! We must all confess this national sin, begging God's mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The blood of over 55 million unborn child cries out to the Lord for vengeance, how much longer will He wait before He brings judgment to the land?

This Is Not Some Superficially Sanitized Book

# 224 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. 32 Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me." So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." 33 But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. (1 Sam 15:31-33) This is one of those times when you almost want to give a warning about the content of the material being read because of the graphic nature of the material, but this IS the Word of God and the Holy Spirit has included it here for a reason. One thing about the Bible, it tells it like it is, even when it's not very pretty. This is not some superficially sanitized book. It contains accounts of messy people in a messy world that need to be sanitized by the redemptive work of Christ. So, what's going on here? First Samuel tells Saul he won't return with him (v26) and now he does indeed return with him. Samuel has pronounced an irrevocable judgment against Saul. The kingdom will be stripped away from him, but it has not been stripped away yet, the new king David) has not been anointed. So Samuel returns with Saul for the sake of order and for the sake of the people. Saul is still their king. But Samuel also has some unfinished business to take care of with King Agag. Since Saul failed to do his duty in this regard Samuel would now take care of it. King Agag is not happy to see Samuel and he approaches him as if walking on eggs, and says in effect, “Hey Samuel, let's let bygones be bygones.”. But Samuel says, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." and he hacked Agag to pieces. This seems unnecessarily brutal to you and I, but it was done for effect, that you and I might know the horrific judgment of hell that awaits any and all unrepentant sinners. Samuel is a type of Christ and when Jesus returns He will deal with the unrepentant, casting their souls to hell, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth forever! Friend, this is a reality that we need to grasp in order to give us a sense of urgency, as we seek to be fishers of men. With this gruesome scripture ringing in my ears, I can't help but think about the abortionist here. Those who today, engage in making women childless by the sword. I have no idea of what their final judgment will be, but the picture of Agag given to us here is very frightening. Pray for those involved in the killing industry of abortion. Pray also for those who have rejected Christ, for unless they repent, their end is as gruesome as Agag's. And above all, never forget beloved, if you have participated in this act, there is no sin, that Jesus did not pay for on Calvary and He promises forgiveness and eternal life to all who come to Him with a contrite heart. Come to Jesus. He forgives and heals.

Do I Seek To Please Men?

# 223 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:30 Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God." (1 Sam 15:30) Saul's use of the word “yet” makes his confession of sin ring hollow. He was not so much concerned with God's honor as he was with his own. Oh that we would love God so much that all our actions and words would be aimed at receiving the praises of God, rather than the praises of men. Listen to the words of Jesus in Joh 5:44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? And in Joh 12:43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. I confess that I love hearing the praises of men. I think we all have a part in us that yearns for recognition and affirmation from our fellow human beings. The problem, according to these verses is when we get so enamored with seeking our own honor we neglect to seek the honor that comes from God. Or when we love the praise of men, more than the praise of God. There ought to be a yearning in our heart to hear the words of Mt 25:21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' It's not that our stewardship of God's grace earns our salvation, it's just a simple matter of demonstrating our love toward God in grateful appreciation for what He has done for us. Therefore we seek to honor Him by the way we speak and live. The problem we often run into is that which pleases God does not please our fellow man. The Apostle Paul ran into this problem as he sought to preach the gospel. His message was not always well received, but he said in Ga 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Father, help us to seek to be God-pleasers, rather than man-pleasers.

God's Word Is Certain

# 222 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:27 And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 So Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent." ( 1 Sam 15:27-29) Saul in a final act of desperation seeks to keep Samuel by his side by grabbing his robe, but the robe rips. Samuel uses the ripping of his robe as an object lesson for Saul. Today was the last straw for Saul, and his kingship has been torn away from him and given to another. Saul of course would continue as king for a while, but God was telling him that the day was coming just as sure as He is the Strength of Israel. Nothing could stop it. His decision was final, irrevocable. The Strength of Israel is an interesting term, and commentators have come up with all sorts of definitions. It comes from a Hebrew word for glitter, and thus many define this Strength as Glory. Zodhiates defines it as a goal, splendor, glory. I like to think of it as a constant bright light in the distance which one shoots for as a destination. The goal, the glory doesn't move, it remains firm constant, like a navigational star. Just as the truth of God's Word is constant and helps us navigate through life. Never forget this truth speaking strength of God. It is vital to your hope! Listen to what the Scriptures say: Nu 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Eze 24:14 I, the LORD, have spoken it; It shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not hold back, Nor will I spare, Nor will I relent; Tit 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, God's Word is certain, and through trust in His Word, which speaks of salvation through faith in Jesus, you can be certain of a bodily resurrection and eternal life.

The Nicey Nicey Road To Hell

# 221 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 "Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD." 26 But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel." At first glance, Saul's confession of sin seems more than adequate, but is it? Notice how he blames the people for his actions. True confession, doesn't seek arguments to justify our sins. When David was confronted by Nathan with his sin concerning Bathsheeba, he didn't use excuses. He simply said, ”I have sinned against the Lord.” Saul then asks Samuel to return with him. This is the equivalent of saying, “let the people see that you are still hanging out with me, that way I will still look good in the eyes of the people.” But Samuel says, “I will not hang out with you! I will not give the impression that all is well, when it isn't.” The Lord has rejected you because you reject His Word!” This episode in Samuel serves as a reminder to the church today, to practice proper church discipline with those who reject God's Word. We are not to let unrepentant sinners hang out in the congregation. It sends the message that all is well when it really isn't, and if you truly love that person, then you will seek to confront them using the principles found in Mt 18, praying for their restoration and reconciliation. This is a painful process to be sure, but a responsibility that Jesus has given to His church. He said in Joh 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Samuel was informing Saul, that his sins were being retained, because he lacked true repentance. The question is, do we have enough love for the Body of Christ and our erring brother to do the same? Or will we continue down the road of nicey nicey that leads uncorrected sinners to hell?

Peer Pressure

# 220 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:24 “Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” (1 Sam 15:24) Saul has just been informed that God is stripping him of his kingship and in desperation he makes a confession of his sin. He agrees that he did not follow God's orders to utterly destroy the Amalekites. But his confession seems a little tainted as he tries to divert the blame to the people. We are often guilty of the same thing aren't we? We fear what others may think of us and join in with their sin rather than obey the voice of God. We fail to take a stand in the face of injustice. We fail to confront sin in our midst, because people may think we are prudish or intolerant. Our silence in these matters puts our stamp of approval on them. And as we read in Ro 1:32, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” The Bible has much to say about this matter of what we call “peer pressure.” Ex 23:2 "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; Pr 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Isa 51:12 "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? Saul's problem, and often ours, is misplaced fear. We fear man more than we fear God. Jesus sought to set us straight in this matter in Lu 12:5 "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Panting After God's Word

# 219 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." Samuel has named the sins of Saul. Rebellion, that desire to be your own authority, to pick and choose what you will believe and obey. Rebellion that is likened to witchcraft, a capital offense. Stubbornness, that persistent refusal to obey God, which is like iniquity, (panting after sin) and idolatry (panting after other gods) Now Samuel spells out the justice associated with his crime. Because Saul rejected the word of the Lord, God has rejected Saul as king. The word rejected means to melt, to run out as candle wax or lava. Because Saul ran out on God's Word, God would now run out on Saul. What a scary thought. Yet one we should pay very close attention to. 2Ti 2:12 says, “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” To reign with Christ is to be a God-appointed king, but if we deny Him, He will deny us on that Last Day, and our kingship will be revoked. This incident with Saul is akin to what Jesus said in Mr 8:38, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Ashamed of what? Jesus and His Words. How we approach the Word of God really matters. Joh 12:48 says, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. Saul had a cafeteria style of Christianity. Stubbornly picking and choosing what he chose to believe and obey and it cost him his kingship. Isn't it time you and I got serious about God's Word? Isn't it time we earnestly asked God the Holy Spirit to rise up in us so that we would pant after God and His Word, rather than sin and idols?