Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — April 2010
1 Samuel 11 & 12 -- NOT Doing This Is A SIN?
Once Saul decided to step up, grab the reins of leadership, and be affirmed as king, Samuel decided to retire. He had solemn warnings for the people he'd led for decades. Samuel prayed for a sign that would show the people the trut
Once Saul decided to step up, grab the reins of leadership, and be affirmed as king, Samuel decided to retire. He had solemn warnings for the people he'd led for decades.
Samuel prayed for a sign that would show the people the truth of what he was about to say: "Then you will know what an evil thing you did against the Lord when you asked for a king." Perhaps it finally hit them - just how much they broke God's heart by wanting what the world offered (human rulers) instead of God Himself.
The people asked Samuel for one more thing before he retired: "Pray to the Lord your God for us, your servants! Don't let us die! We've added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king."
Samuel replied, "Don't be afraid. It's true that you did wrong, but don't turn away from the Lord. Serve the Lord will all your heart."
Samuel also told them about one vital part of his ministry that would NOT cease: "I will surely not stop praying for you, because that would be sinning against the Lord."
WOW! I'd forgotten that he'd said this. According to my commentary, "prayerlessness is not simply carelessness. It's sin!"
Father, I think back to 15 years ago, and I remember having my prayer journal, with a tab for each day of the week. I was actively praying for all the guys I taught at youth, for special needs, and for many other things. Like the seed planted in the third soil in the parable, I've allowed the world to intrude, crowding out my time and my commitment to prayer. Thank You for showing me that I've got to get that going again. You know that I do still pray. But You also know the fervor I've lost over time, and I want that back. Lead me to stoke the fire of prayer.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Samuel prayed for a sign that would show the people the truth of what he was about to say: "Then you will know what an evil thing you did against the Lord when you asked for a king." Perhaps it finally hit them - just how much they broke God's heart by wanting what the world offered (human rulers) instead of God Himself.
The people asked Samuel for one more thing before he retired: "Pray to the Lord your God for us, your servants! Don't let us die! We've added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king."
Samuel replied, "Don't be afraid. It's true that you did wrong, but don't turn away from the Lord. Serve the Lord will all your heart."
Samuel also told them about one vital part of his ministry that would NOT cease: "I will surely not stop praying for you, because that would be sinning against the Lord."
WOW! I'd forgotten that he'd said this. According to my commentary, "prayerlessness is not simply carelessness. It's sin!"
Father, I think back to 15 years ago, and I remember having my prayer journal, with a tab for each day of the week. I was actively praying for all the guys I taught at youth, for special needs, and for many other things. Like the seed planted in the third soil in the parable, I've allowed the world to intrude, crowding out my time and my commitment to prayer. Thank You for showing me that I've got to get that going again. You know that I do still pray. But You also know the fervor I've lost over time, and I want that back. Lead me to stoke the fire of prayer.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 13 -- What NOT To Do When You Don't Know WHAT To Do
It's never a good thing to start something you cannot finish, and that's exactly what it appears Saul did. Over the years, the Philistines had secured nearly complete control over large areas of Israel. Saul, the new king, and his
It's never a good thing to start something you cannot finish, and that's exactly what it appears Saul did. Over the years, the Philistines had secured nearly complete control over large areas of Israel. Saul, the new king, and his son Jonathan had to start somewhere in regaining Israel's sovereignty.
Jonathan's army attacked a Philistine camp north of Jerusalem. This brought a 6000-man Philistine army into Israel, causing the Israelite army to scatter and in some places to even leave the country!
Saul's men started losing their courage at this news, and his ranks began to dwindle; eventually, only 600 were left. As the defections had been ongoing, Saul had grown impatient with Samuel's tardiness. Seven days after Samuel's expected arrival, Saul decided to take matters into his own hands, and he began to perform the ritual for offering the whole burnt offering to God. The problem was, Saul was not permitted to perform priestly functions, for he was not of the tribe of Levi.
As soon as he'd finished, Samuel arrived. Samuel's words said it all: "What have you done?" Saul lamely offered the excuses that soldiers were deserting, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were reinforcing. He tried to justify his actions by saying, "I hadn't asked for the Lord's approval," just as we today often try to justify our sins.
His next sentence is unbelievable: "So I forced myself to offer the whole burnt offering." I wonder how hard that was?
Samuel wasted no time: "You acted foolishly! You haven't obeyed ... now, your kingdom will not continue... the Lord has looked for the kind of man He wants. He has appointed him to rule His people, because YOU haven't obeyed."
In the middle of Saul's disobedience, God was already at work grooming David to replace him.
I also saw a dire warning for America in verses 19-22. The Philistines had cornered the market in metal production by removing all blacksmiths from Israel. This vital occupation was now outsourced to their enemies! As a result, no production of weapons of war was occurring in Israel. "When the battle came, only Saul and his son Jonathan had swords." A nation cannot provide for its own defense when it gives up control of its weapon production. Just yesterday, I listened in bewilderment as our president announced that manned spaceflight in America will effective end in 2010. Will history repeat itself?
Father, help me never to lose trust as I wait on You. Help me to know that You will provide at the right time. Remind me to always consult You BEFORE proceeding.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Jonathan's army attacked a Philistine camp north of Jerusalem. This brought a 6000-man Philistine army into Israel, causing the Israelite army to scatter and in some places to even leave the country!
Saul's men started losing their courage at this news, and his ranks began to dwindle; eventually, only 600 were left. As the defections had been ongoing, Saul had grown impatient with Samuel's tardiness. Seven days after Samuel's expected arrival, Saul decided to take matters into his own hands, and he began to perform the ritual for offering the whole burnt offering to God. The problem was, Saul was not permitted to perform priestly functions, for he was not of the tribe of Levi.
As soon as he'd finished, Samuel arrived. Samuel's words said it all: "What have you done?" Saul lamely offered the excuses that soldiers were deserting, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were reinforcing. He tried to justify his actions by saying, "I hadn't asked for the Lord's approval," just as we today often try to justify our sins.
His next sentence is unbelievable: "So I forced myself to offer the whole burnt offering." I wonder how hard that was?
Samuel wasted no time: "You acted foolishly! You haven't obeyed ... now, your kingdom will not continue... the Lord has looked for the kind of man He wants. He has appointed him to rule His people, because YOU haven't obeyed."
In the middle of Saul's disobedience, God was already at work grooming David to replace him.
I also saw a dire warning for America in verses 19-22. The Philistines had cornered the market in metal production by removing all blacksmiths from Israel. This vital occupation was now outsourced to their enemies! As a result, no production of weapons of war was occurring in Israel. "When the battle came, only Saul and his son Jonathan had swords." A nation cannot provide for its own defense when it gives up control of its weapon production. Just yesterday, I listened in bewilderment as our president announced that manned spaceflight in America will effective end in 2010. Will history repeat itself?
Father, help me never to lose trust as I wait on You. Help me to know that You will provide at the right time. Remind me to always consult You BEFORE proceeding.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 14 -- Foolish Leadership
Jonathan, Saul's son, noticed that his father was sitting under a tree instead of battling the Philistines. After conferring with his armor-bearer, Jonathan displayed faith by taking the battle to the Philistines with just this one other ma
Jonathan, Saul's son, noticed that his father was sitting under a tree instead of battling the Philistines. After conferring with his armor-bearer, Jonathan displayed faith by taking the battle to the Philistines with just this one other man, saying "The Lord can give us victory if we have many people, or just a few." He got into place then asked God for confirmation of what to do. Proceeding with God's guidance, he put the Philistine camp into disarray and God added to it by bringing about an earthquake.
Noticing the commotion, Saul wasted time calling roll to determine who was missing and found that it was his son and his armor-bearer.
Saul then asked the priest to inquire of God what to do next, but he quickly changed his mind, telling the priest to withdraw his hand - "to stop seeking the Lord's will. He rallied his forces, convinced that he did not need divine guidance to know that the Lord was delivering the Philistines into his hands," my commentary said.
Saul continued to make mistakes, issuing a command that no one eat until the battle was won. But battle takes a huge physical toll on the body, and without food, it did on his men particularly. Jonathan hadn't been in camp when that order was given, and he dipped a stick into some honeycomb and was immediately refreshed. After being told of his father's order, he replied, "My father has made trouble for the land!" It showed as the battle ended, for the famished soldiers began to kill and cook the livestock they'd captured, not stopping to drain the blood as required by Moses.
As Saul spent time trying to determine just who had sinned, the remaining Philistines got away. Saul also tried to save face by ordering Jonathan's death for violating the prohibition on eating, but the soldiers revolted, seeing him as the hero of the day. Saul's authority began to diminish as a result of all of his bad decisions.
Father, I pray that You will give me wisdom, knowledge, and discernment when I lead. Help me to wait on You when I don't yet have the answers I need. I trust You to lead me. Help others to trust You as well.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Noticing the commotion, Saul wasted time calling roll to determine who was missing and found that it was his son and his armor-bearer.
Saul then asked the priest to inquire of God what to do next, but he quickly changed his mind, telling the priest to withdraw his hand - "to stop seeking the Lord's will. He rallied his forces, convinced that he did not need divine guidance to know that the Lord was delivering the Philistines into his hands," my commentary said.
Saul continued to make mistakes, issuing a command that no one eat until the battle was won. But battle takes a huge physical toll on the body, and without food, it did on his men particularly. Jonathan hadn't been in camp when that order was given, and he dipped a stick into some honeycomb and was immediately refreshed. After being told of his father's order, he replied, "My father has made trouble for the land!" It showed as the battle ended, for the famished soldiers began to kill and cook the livestock they'd captured, not stopping to drain the blood as required by Moses.
As Saul spent time trying to determine just who had sinned, the remaining Philistines got away. Saul also tried to save face by ordering Jonathan's death for violating the prohibition on eating, but the soldiers revolted, seeing him as the hero of the day. Saul's authority began to diminish as a result of all of his bad decisions.
Father, I pray that You will give me wisdom, knowledge, and discernment when I lead. Help me to wait on You when I don't yet have the answers I need. I trust You to lead me. Help others to trust You as well.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 15 -- A Defining Chapter
This chapter was one of the defining chapters for me from the moment I heard Ronnie Hill preach from it years ago. God told Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, who had ambushed the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. M
This chapter was one of the defining chapters for me from the moment I heard Ronnie Hill preach from it years ago. God told Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, who had ambushed the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land.
My commentary said of Saul, "No matter what he was given to do, he came short of COMPLETE obedience." There was absolutely no room for individual interpretation of God's order here - everything was to be destroyed, period. Yet when Samuel caught up with Saul, Saul said, "I have obeyed the Lord's commands." I imagine that Saul's smile left his face when Samuel responded, ""Then why do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?"
Saul's first response, which should have been, "You're absolutely right!", was "The soldiers .... They...." --blaming it on others. (Never mind that he was the king and should have ordered them to obey.) He then lamely and most likely untruthfully claimed that they'd saved the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord. God's original order was to kill everything AS AN OFFERING TO HIM. Saul makes it sound like it was his own idea to do this special thing.
Samuel's answer should vibrate off the walls of our own souls: "What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to His voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep. Disobedience is AS BAD AS the sin of sorcery! Pride is AS BAD AS the sin of worshiping idols!"
If you look at what Samuel said, offerings and sacrifices had to be made when a person sinned. If a person fully obeyed God, sun sin offerings and sacrifices would not have to be made. That's the real reason what God would prefer obedience - it shows the absence of sin and a love for Him.
I loved and was convicted by the stunning way that Ronnie Hill did the math: "90% obedience equals 100% DISOBEDIENCE."
Father, I wish I could say that I have 100% obedience, but I don't. So often I fall short of what You desire in my life. And even at 905 obedience, I admit and agree with You that I'm left facing 100% disobedience. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace, and for Your forgetfulness because of it - all available to me solely because I've accepted the sacrifice of Your Son. I would have no hope if it weren't for that.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary said of Saul, "No matter what he was given to do, he came short of COMPLETE obedience." There was absolutely no room for individual interpretation of God's order here - everything was to be destroyed, period. Yet when Samuel caught up with Saul, Saul said, "I have obeyed the Lord's commands." I imagine that Saul's smile left his face when Samuel responded, ""Then why do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?"
Saul's first response, which should have been, "You're absolutely right!", was "The soldiers .... They...." --blaming it on others. (Never mind that he was the king and should have ordered them to obey.) He then lamely and most likely untruthfully claimed that they'd saved the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord. God's original order was to kill everything AS AN OFFERING TO HIM. Saul makes it sound like it was his own idea to do this special thing.
Samuel's answer should vibrate off the walls of our own souls: "What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to His voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep. Disobedience is AS BAD AS the sin of sorcery! Pride is AS BAD AS the sin of worshiping idols!"
If you look at what Samuel said, offerings and sacrifices had to be made when a person sinned. If a person fully obeyed God, sun sin offerings and sacrifices would not have to be made. That's the real reason what God would prefer obedience - it shows the absence of sin and a love for Him.
I loved and was convicted by the stunning way that Ronnie Hill did the math: "90% obedience equals 100% DISOBEDIENCE."
Father, I wish I could say that I have 100% obedience, but I don't. So often I fall short of what You desire in my life. And even at 905 obedience, I admit and agree with You that I'm left facing 100% disobedience. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace, and for Your forgetfulness because of it - all available to me solely because I've accepted the sacrifice of Your Son. I would have no hope if it weren't for that.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 16 -- A Flashback To International Adoption
God brought this chapter to mind both times that I found myself seated at the National Adoption Center in Kiev, Ukraine. As I looked at the files placed before me, I remembered how Samuel had traveled away from his hometown to Bethlehem at God&
God brought this chapter to mind both times that I found myself seated at the National Adoption Center in Kiev, Ukraine. As I looked at the files placed before me, I remembered how Samuel had traveled away from his hometown to Bethlehem at God's direction to anoint the next king of Israel. Jesse's oldest son came before him - tall, dark, and handsome. His first impression was, "Surely the Lord has appointed this person standing here before Him."
God's words to Samuel echoed in my mind as I looked over the pictures before me: "Don't look at how handsome or how tall he is, because ... God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."
When I flipped to Josh's picture, God wasted no time. He gave me complete assurance, and I said, "I will not look at another boy. This IS my son!" I can't describe how emotional that was. The combination of following God's direction to a foreign country, the long months of hurdles placed before me, seeing that picture, and having God's 100% confirmation with no shadow of doubt at all - it was overwhelming.
With Joseph, Josh and I were taken to the room with "the books". Other families there had been presented with 5 or so files to choose from. God caused the personnel to ask me, "Do you want to see any particular files?" Every head turned. I found the file of Josh's best friend, but with 2 siblings, I wasn't approved for that many, and like that God said no. I then asked if I could just see "the latest files". Once again, heads turned as they said, "Certainly!"
When I came to Joseph's picture, Samuel's thoughts came right to my mind: He was dark and handsome - the best-looking boy I'd seen. I prayed, "God, You say to look at the heart - that the exterior can fool me. Yet I felt that tug. I flipped through the remaining 15 or so files - not a single tug at my heart. I went back to Joseph's file, looked over the information, and kept praying, "God, show me if I'm reacting like Samuel did at first, and not looking with my heart." Then God brought to mind verse 12: "So Jesse sent and had his youngest son brought in. He was a fine boy, tanned and handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, " .... He is the one."
God had tested me to make sure I was listening. Then He confirmed HIS choice. Perhaps as extra confirmation, God performed the impossible in Ukraine at that time, where adoptions were taking 4-6 weeks to complete. We'd arrived on July 4th. All of this happened on July 6th. We met Joseph on July 8th, had court on July 15th, and arrive home July 21st - just 15 days after first seeing his picture!
I've certainly learned to see every young man who comes to our house through God's eyes, to help them to see themselves as God sees them - full of potential for good, for there is no limit to what God can do with a heart yielded to Him.
Thanks for the flashbacks this morning, Father. I needed to be reminded. I love it that You're in charge, whether thousands of years ago in Israel, or in my life today!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
God's words to Samuel echoed in my mind as I looked over the pictures before me: "Don't look at how handsome or how tall he is, because ... God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."
When I flipped to Josh's picture, God wasted no time. He gave me complete assurance, and I said, "I will not look at another boy. This IS my son!" I can't describe how emotional that was. The combination of following God's direction to a foreign country, the long months of hurdles placed before me, seeing that picture, and having God's 100% confirmation with no shadow of doubt at all - it was overwhelming.
With Joseph, Josh and I were taken to the room with "the books". Other families there had been presented with 5 or so files to choose from. God caused the personnel to ask me, "Do you want to see any particular files?" Every head turned. I found the file of Josh's best friend, but with 2 siblings, I wasn't approved for that many, and like that God said no. I then asked if I could just see "the latest files". Once again, heads turned as they said, "Certainly!"
When I came to Joseph's picture, Samuel's thoughts came right to my mind: He was dark and handsome - the best-looking boy I'd seen. I prayed, "God, You say to look at the heart - that the exterior can fool me. Yet I felt that tug. I flipped through the remaining 15 or so files - not a single tug at my heart. I went back to Joseph's file, looked over the information, and kept praying, "God, show me if I'm reacting like Samuel did at first, and not looking with my heart." Then God brought to mind verse 12: "So Jesse sent and had his youngest son brought in. He was a fine boy, tanned and handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, " .... He is the one."
God had tested me to make sure I was listening. Then He confirmed HIS choice. Perhaps as extra confirmation, God performed the impossible in Ukraine at that time, where adoptions were taking 4-6 weeks to complete. We'd arrived on July 4th. All of this happened on July 6th. We met Joseph on July 8th, had court on July 15th, and arrive home July 21st - just 15 days after first seeing his picture!
I've certainly learned to see every young man who comes to our house through God's eyes, to help them to see themselves as God sees them - full of potential for good, for there is no limit to what God can do with a heart yielded to Him.
Thanks for the flashbacks this morning, Father. I needed to be reminded. I love it that You're in charge, whether thousands of years ago in Israel, or in my life today!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 17 -- Not ABILITY, But AVAILABILITY
Saul had taken an army out to fight the Philistines southwest of Jerusalem. The Israelites had been tasked by God years earlier to remove the Philistines from the Promised Land, but they'd not finished the task, and now their failure was co
Saul had taken an army out to fight the Philistines southwest of Jerusalem. The Israelites had been tasked by God years earlier to remove the Philistines from the Promised Land, but they'd not finished the task, and now their failure was costing them generations later!
The armies had been at a stalemate for forty days, and David's father sent him to resupply his brothers - something each family was responsible for doing when Israel was at war.
Goliath was an imposing physical specimen and a trash-talker. He stood 9'9" and had to have weighed at least 600 pounds. Given the normal build of a soldier, my commentary said he could have weighed more than 750 pounds! If David weighed 150 pounds, Goliath would have made five of him!
David saw the fear in the eyes of the Israelite soldiers. None wanted to be ordered to attack Goliath, and certainly none wanted to volunteer!
David's heart was turned toward God, and the constant demeaning verbal attacks on his God drove him to action. He said, "Who does this uncircumcised Philistine think he is? Does he think that he can speak against the armies of the living God?" His words showed righteous indignation, not bravado.
David's own brother thought he was just showing off for attention, saying, "I know you are proud and wicked at heart. You came down here just to watch the battle."
God reminded me that one of our former preachers once said that I reminded him of David. I think it was said in relation to David's not being able to stand it when someone said that something couldn't be done. I have to admit that I've always liked the saying, "The difficult we do right away. The impossible takes a little longer." I'm usually motivated by a stubborn refusal to let any problem beat me. David was motivated by his love for God and his desire to defend God's honor.
David fought unconventionally. (I most often find myself doing the same, having watched one too many episodes of MacGyver.) David swore off the heavy armor belonging to Saul - he wasn't used to it and it hampered his movement. He used the tools he was most familiar with - his slingshot and his shepherd's staff. And that was exactly what was needed, for Saul's armor was designed to protect him against normal weapons. God used a shepherd boy who'd honed his skills in his everyday dull and boring routine of herding sheep to bring down the mightiest soldier of the enemy.
God can use us as well. Every day, right where we work or play, God is honing our skills for tasks that He's already planning for us to tackle. He doesn't need a "conventional soldier" - say, someone trained at a seminary - He just needs our availability and He'll provide the rest.
Father, thanks for showing me, over the years, that everything You've led me to experience in my life prepares me for tasks uniquely suited for me. There's nothing magical about the word ministry. It's simply a combination of Your ability and my AVAILABILITY. Thanks for showing me what You can do through a heart yielded to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The armies had been at a stalemate for forty days, and David's father sent him to resupply his brothers - something each family was responsible for doing when Israel was at war.
Goliath was an imposing physical specimen and a trash-talker. He stood 9'9" and had to have weighed at least 600 pounds. Given the normal build of a soldier, my commentary said he could have weighed more than 750 pounds! If David weighed 150 pounds, Goliath would have made five of him!
David saw the fear in the eyes of the Israelite soldiers. None wanted to be ordered to attack Goliath, and certainly none wanted to volunteer!
David's heart was turned toward God, and the constant demeaning verbal attacks on his God drove him to action. He said, "Who does this uncircumcised Philistine think he is? Does he think that he can speak against the armies of the living God?" His words showed righteous indignation, not bravado.
David's own brother thought he was just showing off for attention, saying, "I know you are proud and wicked at heart. You came down here just to watch the battle."
God reminded me that one of our former preachers once said that I reminded him of David. I think it was said in relation to David's not being able to stand it when someone said that something couldn't be done. I have to admit that I've always liked the saying, "The difficult we do right away. The impossible takes a little longer." I'm usually motivated by a stubborn refusal to let any problem beat me. David was motivated by his love for God and his desire to defend God's honor.
David fought unconventionally. (I most often find myself doing the same, having watched one too many episodes of MacGyver.) David swore off the heavy armor belonging to Saul - he wasn't used to it and it hampered his movement. He used the tools he was most familiar with - his slingshot and his shepherd's staff. And that was exactly what was needed, for Saul's armor was designed to protect him against normal weapons. God used a shepherd boy who'd honed his skills in his everyday dull and boring routine of herding sheep to bring down the mightiest soldier of the enemy.
God can use us as well. Every day, right where we work or play, God is honing our skills for tasks that He's already planning for us to tackle. He doesn't need a "conventional soldier" - say, someone trained at a seminary - He just needs our availability and He'll provide the rest.
Father, thanks for showing me, over the years, that everything You've led me to experience in my life prepares me for tasks uniquely suited for me. There's nothing magical about the word ministry. It's simply a combination of Your ability and my AVAILABILITY. Thanks for showing me what You can do through a heart yielded to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 18 -- The Visible Difference God's Presence Makes In A Life
It's quite amazing to see how differently King Saul and his son Jonathan reacted to David. David's military prowess led to many great victories for Israel. You'd think he'd be the kind of ally any king would want
It's quite amazing to see how differently King Saul and his son Jonathan reacted to David.
David's military prowess led to many great victories for Israel. You'd think he'd be the kind of ally any king would want working for him. But Saul became intensely jealous of David's popularity, and even began to wonder if the public would choose David over himself. Within a short time, Saul tried to kill David twice inside the royal palace, but David escaped both times.
Saul even put David back on the front lines, thinking the plan might lead to his death, but God was watching over Israel's future king.
Contrast all of this with Jonathan's response: Hearing David and Saul talking for the very first time, "Jonathan immediately felt very close to him. He loved David as much as he loved himself ... Jonathan made an agreement with David .... He took off his coat and gave it to David, along with his armor ..." Jonathan could see God at work in David's life. Although Jonathan was the heir-apparent to the throne, he was willing to bow to God's choice of the next king. He even gave David the very symbols of his future kingship!
Perhaps the cause of Saul's animosity lay in this: In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit only dwelled with certain individuals for limited times. Saul would know when the Holy Spirit was indwelling him, and he would therefore certainly know when He had left him. There was ample evidence that the Holy Spirit was dwelling with David, and this made Saul extremely jealous, that he too could not say that the Spirit was still with him. Jonathan was content to simply be in the presence of the Spirit.
Father, our family and friends called on You yesterday during Joseph's accident and You answered our prayers marvelously. As I told Joseph last night, I don't see how those people survive and thrive who don't know You. I've come to relish the Holy Spirit's presence in my life, and I cannot imagine what it would be like to not hear from You every day. I can see why it would drive Saul crazy. Thank You for Your presence and Your watch-care over us. We love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
David's military prowess led to many great victories for Israel. You'd think he'd be the kind of ally any king would want working for him. But Saul became intensely jealous of David's popularity, and even began to wonder if the public would choose David over himself. Within a short time, Saul tried to kill David twice inside the royal palace, but David escaped both times.
Saul even put David back on the front lines, thinking the plan might lead to his death, but God was watching over Israel's future king.
Contrast all of this with Jonathan's response: Hearing David and Saul talking for the very first time, "Jonathan immediately felt very close to him. He loved David as much as he loved himself ... Jonathan made an agreement with David .... He took off his coat and gave it to David, along with his armor ..." Jonathan could see God at work in David's life. Although Jonathan was the heir-apparent to the throne, he was willing to bow to God's choice of the next king. He even gave David the very symbols of his future kingship!
Perhaps the cause of Saul's animosity lay in this: In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit only dwelled with certain individuals for limited times. Saul would know when the Holy Spirit was indwelling him, and he would therefore certainly know when He had left him. There was ample evidence that the Holy Spirit was dwelling with David, and this made Saul extremely jealous, that he too could not say that the Spirit was still with him. Jonathan was content to simply be in the presence of the Spirit.
Father, our family and friends called on You yesterday during Joseph's accident and You answered our prayers marvelously. As I told Joseph last night, I don't see how those people survive and thrive who don't know You. I've come to relish the Holy Spirit's presence in my life, and I cannot imagine what it would be like to not hear from You every day. I can see why it would drive Saul crazy. Thank You for Your presence and Your watch-care over us. We love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 19-20 Finding The REAL Man
What a strange mix of father, son, friend, and God! The father, Saul, is motivated by pride, jealousy, power, and desperation to hold onto his kingly powers even though God has already decided that he will not remain as king. His son,
What a strange mix of father, son, friend, and God! The father, Saul, is motivated by pride, jealousy, power, and desperation to hold onto his kingly powers even though God has already decided that he will not remain as king.
His son, Jonathan, seems torn between following the commandment to honor his father and honoring the one he knows God has appointed as the next king. Jonathan, to his credit, shows no remorse that he will not become king after his father. God seems to have given him the desires of his heart: He's allowed Jonathan to find his happiness supporting the one God would have as Israel's next king.
David, as Jonathan's friend, knows the turmoil their friendship is causing with Jonathan's father. It finally becomes apparent that their close relationship will have to be sacrificed because of the danger to both of them as Saul grows increasingly violent.
This was all occurring at a time when unrelated successor kings were eliminating all members of the former king's family to prevent any later claim to the throne from ever occurring. David showed none of this, however, and it was a testament to his willingness to trust God to accomplish His purposes.
I feel for Jonathan. What a tight spot he found himself in - torn between love for his father and love for the man he knew God had selected to replace his father. Jonathan set aside his own will, and indeed his own life, for God's purposes. He's a great example of a real man - one who lets God reign in his life.
Father, so many men seem to want to follow Saul's example, obsessing over power they feel must surely be theirs by rights. Thank You for reminding me that as my Creator, You will always hold the power. My job is to let You work through me in any way You see fit.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
His son, Jonathan, seems torn between following the commandment to honor his father and honoring the one he knows God has appointed as the next king. Jonathan, to his credit, shows no remorse that he will not become king after his father. God seems to have given him the desires of his heart: He's allowed Jonathan to find his happiness supporting the one God would have as Israel's next king.
David, as Jonathan's friend, knows the turmoil their friendship is causing with Jonathan's father. It finally becomes apparent that their close relationship will have to be sacrificed because of the danger to both of them as Saul grows increasingly violent.
This was all occurring at a time when unrelated successor kings were eliminating all members of the former king's family to prevent any later claim to the throne from ever occurring. David showed none of this, however, and it was a testament to his willingness to trust God to accomplish His purposes.
I feel for Jonathan. What a tight spot he found himself in - torn between love for his father and love for the man he knew God had selected to replace his father. Jonathan set aside his own will, and indeed his own life, for God's purposes. He's a great example of a real man - one who lets God reign in his life.
Father, so many men seem to want to follow Saul's example, obsessing over power they feel must surely be theirs by rights. Thank You for reminding me that as my Creator, You will always hold the power. My job is to let You work through me in any way You see fit.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 21-22 God Is Never NOT In Control
These chapters seem to lend credence to my belief that politics corrupts even the best of men. But more than that, it shows that God can use even our sinfulness for his purposes. David, on the run from Saul, went to the Tabernacle, loc
These chapters seem to lend credence to my belief that politics corrupts even the best of men. But more than that, it shows that God can use even our sinfulness for his purposes.
David, on the run from Saul, went to the Tabernacle, located at that time in Nob. Needing food for his men, he lied to the high priest about his true purpose. The high priest gave him the show bread from the previous day, which only priests were supposed to eat.
Jesus years later brought up this event as an example of how the law was not intended to forbid a work of mercy. The sin that infected Israel was keeping David from his rightful place as king; had he been sitting on the throne, there'd have been no need for the subterfuge.
Saul's growing insanity and paranoia led him to order the death of the high priest and his family for helping David as they had. My commentary noted a rather unique convergence of events: "In one sense, the death of the 85 priests was the result of David's lying and scheming. In another sense, it was the judgment of God upon the house of Eli (2:31-36; 3:11-14). But Saul himself must bear the major share of the blame for the massacre, since he ordered it." I believe it shows the sovereignty of God in that He wove together several disparate circumstances to produce a scenario that, though based in sin, served to further all of His purposes and desires.
Father, Your wisdom amazes and astounds me. Just when it appears that all of the wheels are falling off, You reveal the fact that Your purposes are being served by everything that's happening. I'm so glad to know that I have a God who is bigger than everything else, smarter and wiser than everyone else, and able to turn what at first seems to be a pig's ear into a silk purse. You are so mighty!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
David, on the run from Saul, went to the Tabernacle, located at that time in Nob. Needing food for his men, he lied to the high priest about his true purpose. The high priest gave him the show bread from the previous day, which only priests were supposed to eat.
Jesus years later brought up this event as an example of how the law was not intended to forbid a work of mercy. The sin that infected Israel was keeping David from his rightful place as king; had he been sitting on the throne, there'd have been no need for the subterfuge.
Saul's growing insanity and paranoia led him to order the death of the high priest and his family for helping David as they had. My commentary noted a rather unique convergence of events: "In one sense, the death of the 85 priests was the result of David's lying and scheming. In another sense, it was the judgment of God upon the house of Eli (2:31-36; 3:11-14). But Saul himself must bear the major share of the blame for the massacre, since he ordered it." I believe it shows the sovereignty of God in that He wove together several disparate circumstances to produce a scenario that, though based in sin, served to further all of His purposes and desires.
Father, Your wisdom amazes and astounds me. Just when it appears that all of the wheels are falling off, You reveal the fact that Your purposes are being served by everything that's happening. I'm so glad to know that I have a God who is bigger than everything else, smarter and wiser than everyone else, and able to turn what at first seems to be a pig's ear into a silk purse. You are so mighty!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Samuel 23 -- God ANSWERS
David begins to commune with God in this chapter. Abiathar, now the high priest, was on the run with David and had the holy vest and the Urim and Thummim, through which God had communicated His will to Moses and Aaron. Starting in this
David begins to commune with God in this chapter. Abiathar, now the high priest, was on the run with David and had the holy vest and the Urim and Thummim, through which God had communicated His will to Moses and Aaron.
Starting in this chapter, it's amazing how many times I read, "David asked the Lord, and the Lord answered." David asked specific questions: "Should I stay or go? ... Will Saul come down? ... Will the leaders hand me and my men over to Saul?"
What's very interesting in all of this is that God matter-of-factly provided answers that David surely didn't want to hear, but God's answers came with an implied "if you stay on your present course, this will happen." So David got off that present course to prevent the likely from occurring (on the assured, we might should say).
God still speaks today, and He longs for us to ask Him things so He can guide us. Often we simply forget to ask. If we are in sin, we can be assured that we need to get off that course. But God also can and does direct us when we simply need to choose between two apparently good things. How awesome it is to experience this: "I asked the Lord, and the Lord answered!"
Father, thank You for how You have guided me. I know that when I'm not in Your will and particularly when I am in sin, Satan deafens me to Your calling. Cry all the louder then, Father! But I also trust You in my everyday decisions, knowing that You have Your absolute best planned for me if I will only ask and listen for Your reply.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Starting in this chapter, it's amazing how many times I read, "David asked the Lord, and the Lord answered." David asked specific questions: "Should I stay or go? ... Will Saul come down? ... Will the leaders hand me and my men over to Saul?"
What's very interesting in all of this is that God matter-of-factly provided answers that David surely didn't want to hear, but God's answers came with an implied "if you stay on your present course, this will happen." So David got off that present course to prevent the likely from occurring (on the assured, we might should say).
God still speaks today, and He longs for us to ask Him things so He can guide us. Often we simply forget to ask. If we are in sin, we can be assured that we need to get off that course. But God also can and does direct us when we simply need to choose between two apparently good things. How awesome it is to experience this: "I asked the Lord, and the Lord answered!"
Father, thank You for how You have guided me. I know that when I'm not in Your will and particularly when I am in sin, Satan deafens me to Your calling. Cry all the louder then, Father! But I also trust You in my everyday decisions, knowing that You have Your absolute best planned for me if I will only ask and listen for Your reply.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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