Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 18 – 24; 1 Chronicles 12:1-22; Psalm 54

Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.

When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” – 1 Samuel 18:5-7

After David killed Goliath, Saul no longer saw David as a humble servant but as a threat to his own popularity and throne. David spent the next few years running from Saul’s anger and attempts to kill him, a time when he possibly wrote many of the Psalms that now help us when we face hard times. Saul daily hunted for David, but God heard David’s prayers and kept Saul from finding him.

DAVID FOUND PROTECTION IN THE LORD HIS GOD.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. – Psalm 57:1-3

Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. – Psalm 54:1-2

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. – Psalm 34:17-18

For years Saul continued to chase David in an attempt to kill him. Time after time David was given the opportunity to retaliate and end Saul’s life but he refused. David saw value in Saul’s life by looking at him through the eyes of God instead of through his own victim-eyes. He showed no signs of hatred or vengeance towards Saul but instead pleaded with the king time after time to see his heart — to see that he loved the king and would be loyal to him.

“Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king – he is the Lord’s anointed one.’” – 1 Samuel 24:10b

DAVID FOUND HIS VALUE IN THE LORD HIS GOD.

David’s men encouraged him to kill Saul, but David was looking to God for his reward, not for the praise of men. “The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles” (1 Samuel 26:23-24).

It takes courage to trust in God when others are trying to harm us. It takes strength to hold back angry words. It takes character to walk away when we have the opportunity to wound the one who has been hurting us. It takes integrity to value the life of someone who does not value life itself.

Lord, we thank you for your hand of protection over us. We pray for the courage, strength, character and integrity to handle difficult situations and toxic relationships in our lives. We pray for the truth to be evident and for you to be glorified in everything that we say and do today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 16-17; Psalm 59

The search for a new king began. It was time to stop mourning the failures of Saul and move on. The Lord sent Samuel to a man named Jesse, telling him that God had selected one of his eight sons to be the next king. Taking one look at the oldest son, Samuel immediately thought Eliab would be the Lord’s anointed.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

One by one, Jesse’s sons stood before Samuel and, one by one, Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen” (16:8). Jesse finally sent for his youngest son who was out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.

He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. – 1 Samuel 16:12-13

DEFINED BY AGE, APPEARANCE OR OUR PAST

David had just been anointed king, yet everyone around him continued to define him by his age, appearance, and past. Instead of stepping into power, David became the harp player for the previous king. Saul was told that David was a brave warrior and that the Lord was with him, but Saul only saw a servant who could meet his needs.

So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. – 1 Samuel 16:21

Saul was not the only one who did not see David as a brave warrior and a man of war. When David arrived at the battle against the Philistines to deliver supplies, Eliab asked him, “What are you doing around here anyway? What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of?” (1 Samuel 17:28)

As David was talking with his brothers, the Philistine warrior Goliath came out and began taunting the Israelite soldiers, just as he did every day. “Why are you all coming out to fight? I am the Philistine champion, but you are ONLY the servants of Saul…” (1 Samuel 17:8b).

Hearing that the reward for killing Goliath was one of the king’s daughters for a wife and the exemption of the winner’s family from paying taxes, David volunteered to fight Goliath. Saul’s reaction was, “Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth” (1 Samuel 17:28,33).

At that moment, David could have announced to all of them that he was the new king of Israel —that he was God’s anointed one. But, instead of informing them of who he was, he pointed out to them who God is!

DEFINING OURSELVES BY WHAT GOD IS CAPABLE OF

“I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats. When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD WHO RESCUED ME from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” – 1 Samuel 17:34-37a

When Goliath sneered at the small shepherd boy, David confidently informed him of his own future: “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

It will help me to remember that no matter what I face today or tomorrow, THIS IS THE LORD’S BATTLE — NOT MINE. Titles are not important, but a humble servant heart is – a heart willing to do whatever God asks me to do today. And it is important that my head remains focused on who God is and not on who I am or on who others say I am. GOD DEFINES ME — no one else. Because when it comes right down to it…

IT IS NOT ABOUT WHO I AM, BUT ABOUT WHO HE IS.

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies…
But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. – Psalm 59:9-10,16-17

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15; Psalm 50

“Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” – 1 Samuel 15:22

God made it clear in His word that He wants more than just token sacrifices from us. He wants us more than just a minimum requirement or going through the motions. He wants a relationship with us in which we are wholeheartedly committed to following Him. That is what He wanted from the Israelites and that is what He wants from us today.

In order to fully understand the reign of King Saul, let’s look back at the second chapter of Judges for some context. When the tribes of Israel went to conquer the land and defeat the Canaanites, they did not fully obey the Lord’s command. They chose to let some of the people live, even though God’s command was to completely destroy them. Because of their disobedience, God declared He would no longer drive out the people living there, but He would allow them to stay and be thorns in the sides of the Israelites — a constant temptation with their false gods (Judges 2:2-3). Their presence would test whether His people loved Him enough to obey His commands.

Then in 1 Samuel chapter 8, God’s people demanded He give them a king, just as the foreign nations around them had kings. They had disobeyed God’s commands over and over again, and now they were rejecting Him as their king because of the influence of the culture surrounding them. So God gave them a king, just as they demanded, but He warned them what their new lifestyle was going to look like.

“This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use. He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves. When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you.” – 1 Samuel 8:11-18

And just as God proclaimed, the Israelites fought constantly against their enemies throughout the reign of King Saul (14:52). And just as they had done before, the Israelites disobeyed God’s orders to completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation. With an army of 210,000 men, Saul led the Israelites in battle against the Amalekites, but he spared the life of their king and kept the best of the animals. In fact, they kept everything that appealed to them and destroyed only what seemed worthless (15:9).

Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old “yeast” by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth. – 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Saul had been appointed by God, and God had blessed his reign as king. But Saul chose to do what he saw as beneficial to himself rather than keeping His eyes on God. Saul went from timidly hiding in the baggage to seeing himself as the hero, and he even went as far as to set up a monument in his own honor. He even had the nerve to lie to Samuel, telling him that he had obeyed the Lord’s command. When Samuel pointed out to him the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the cattle, Saul replied:

“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” – 1 Samuel 15:20-21

Yes, I did this bad thing, but I also did these good things. Yes, I have sinned against God, but look at all the ways in which I have obeyed God. I may not have done things exactly like God told me to do, but my intentions were good and I believe something good can come out of my disobedience. If you look at my actions, you will see more good than bad. Does this sound familiar? Do we offer the same excuses for our disobedience today?

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.” – 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Father God, show us the areas of our lives where we are not in full submission to your holy commands. May your Spirit move in us with a desire to give you 100%, never holding back or offering excuses for our disobedience. May you be glorified in all that we say or do; may sincerity and truth be evidenced in our lives.

“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” – Psalm 51:16-17

I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills…
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees
and pretending to obey my covenant?” – Psalm 50:8-10,14-16

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14; Psalm 140

Have you ever had a difficult decision to make? Perhaps you listed out the pros and cons of your decision, or wondered what someone you respect would do in the same situation. I think we have all been there. The tough question is whether or not we spent time asking God for direction and wisdom. In the next two chapters of 1 Samuel, we see three individuals inquiring of the Lord, but the timing was different in each scenario.

CHOOSING OUR OWN BATTLES

First, King Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel for himself and 1,000 for Jonathan. Then he sent the rest of the men home. They defeated a garrison of Philistines, starting a fight they felt unprepared to finish.

The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3000 chariots, 6000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore!…The men of Israel saw what a TIGHT SPOT they were in; and because they were HARD PRESSED by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were TREMBLING WITH FEAR. – 1 Samuel 13:5-7

When in a tight spot, when hard pressed by the enemy, God’s people chose fear instead of faith; they chose panic instead of peace. They ran for safety, looking for places to hide. After seven days of waiting for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to God, Saul panicked and offered the burnt offering himself – breaking the Lord’s command. His men were fleeing the battle and their fear was contagious, causing Saul to get impatient and move ahead of God.

MOVING AHEAD OF GOD

“The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!” – 1 Samuel 13:12

Have you ever found yourself part way into a decision or situation, or simply into your day, and then realize you haven’t even asked God what He wants you to do or asked for His help? I can relate to Saul in this situation. There have been times when it has dawned on me that I am impatiently charging ahead without inquiring of the Lord. In this situation, Saul found himself reacting out of panic and making a bad choice because he had not taken the time to involve God sooner. Been there, done that.

CHARGING AHEAD WITH OUR OWN PLAN

“PERHAPS the Lord will be us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” – 1 Samuel 14:6

Jonathan did not take the time to consult with either Saul or Samuel, let alone the Lord. Instead, he came up with his own plan and charged ahead! Jonathan’s attitude was one of – I’m going to do what I want to do and hopefully the Lord will bless it. Ouch! I’m afraid I have been guilty of this one too.

Fortunately, God chose to use the immature actions of the king’s son to confuse the Philistines and help the small Israelite army (600 men) defeat the large Philistine army. God caused panic to break out in the Philistine camp, sending an earthquake to strike fear in the heart of the enemy. The vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction (14:16) – just like our enemies fade away when God fights our battles for us.

ASKING GOD FIRST

Lastly, let’s look at a statement made by the priest Ahijah (Eli’s great-grandson) in response to Saul’s declaration that they forge ahead: “Let’s ask God first” (14:36). Now this is more like it. Thankfully I can relate to this statement as well and this is where I want to start my day as I drink my morning coffee, going to God in prayer.

Saul and Jonathan were both doing a good thing. After all, they were putting their life at risk by leading the Israelite army in efforts to protect all of the people. They were prepared to fight to defend the freedom of their families. But in the words of Samuel in 15:22, “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

What I plan to do with my day may be a GOOD thing or even a sacrificial thing but, if I have not consulted with God to see what He wants me to do today, then I may miss out on what is better — the opportunity to do a GOD thing!

Precious Father, before I get any farther into my day, I submit to your plan — to your sovereignty. Guide me down the path you want me to walk today. Use me in whatever way you desire. I want to do more than just make sacrifices for what seems like a good purpose, I want every action to be in obedience and submission to your leadership. God, nothing can hinder you. You can win a battle whether you have many warriors or only a few! Choose my battles for me and lead me into your will. Thank you for living in me and working through me today. Amen.

I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”
Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me,
you protected me on the day of battle. – Psalm 140:6-7

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 8-12

God’s people were asking for something that was outside of His plan for them; they wanted a king like the other nations had. He warned them they would someday beg for relief from this king they were requesting, or rather demanding (8:18). But God, being a merciful God, heard the cries of his people and gave them what they were asking for.

Has God ever moved you into a position or situation that seemed beyond what you could handle? A few days ago, we read of how each year Samuel would have to discard the comfortable coat he had finally grown into and replace it with the new bigger coat that his mother had brought him (2:19). Now Samuel is telling another young man that he is about to receive a “bigger coat” (more like a kingly robe) and Saul’s reaction was one of humility and fear.

GOD WILL GUIDE US THROUGH THE UNFAMILIAR.

God is faithful even in the most unfamiliar of situations. But how often do we let the emotions of our new circumstances get the best of us, allowing fear and self-deprecation to set in? Saul did what many of us have a history of doing when God tries to stretch us — he told God He had the wrong person.

“But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” – 1 Samuel 9:21

God equipped Saul for what He was calling him to do because that is who our God is — He equips the called. Scripture says Saul was “changed into a different person.” Samuel encouraged Saul to do the thing God was calling Saul to do, for God would be with him. God gave Saul a new heart to go with his new “coat” and everything happened just as God had promised.

Doesn’t that sound just like the wonderful God we serve? He prepares us for what is ahead, equipping us with all that we need to step obediently into the position to which He calls us. He changes us, giving us a new heart and the wisdom we need to accept the calling He has placed on our lives.

GOD WILL EQUIP US FOR THE CALL.

As I drink my morning coffee, I know how God is stretching me right now. What is God calling you to that seems beyond what you are capable of? Are you nervous or scared or intimidated by God’s plan? So was Saul. When they went to crown Saul as their king, they found him hiding among the baggage (10:22).

Are you hiding?
Are you using the “baggage” in your life as an excuse to avoid what God is calling you to?
Are you open to allowing God to give you a new heart to go with your new “coat”?

Friend, please know that you are not alone — God is with you. Scripture says that when the first challenge arose for the young king, “the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry” (11:7). Just one month after being placed in the position of king and here Saul is finding his way and stepping into the leadership for which God was equipping him — just like HE WILL EQUIP YOU.

GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL, SO DO NOT FEAR.

So let me do what Samuel did in his farewell speech to God’s people. Let me remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and for your family (12:7). Look back and see how faithful God has been time and time again. Consider Samuel’s words of reassurance to the Israelites:

“Don’t be afraid. You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.” – 1 Samuel 12:20

God understands that you are feeling unworthy of His call. He knows you are uncomfortable. He also knows you have not lived a perfect life, that you are hiding behind the baggage of your past. He knows when you want things back to the way they used to be. But what God is asking is that you worship Him with ALL your heart. Don’t hold back or turn away from what He is asking you to do, but worship God by accepting His plan.

Step out from behind the baggage.
Shed the coat of your insecurities.
Allow God to clothe you with His purpose.
TRUST THAT HE WILL EQUIP YOU.

“And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:23b-24

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-14, 5:1–7:17; Psalm 29

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RECOGNIZE GOD’S VOICE AND RESPOND IN SUBMISSIVE OBEDIENCE?

One night, Samuel was lying in bed and heard a voice calling out his name. He went in to check on Eli, but Eli had not called him. Samuel returned to bed and heard the voice again. Rushing in to Eli’s room, Samuel said, “Here I am. Did you call me?” The third time this happened, Eli gave Samuel very good advice: “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening’” (1 Samuel 3:4-9).

Samuel had never heard the voice of God, but Eli knew how to recognize the moment when God was speaking. When the voice called out as before, Samuel’s response to the voice of God was, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” (3:10).

This was the first of many times when the Lord spoke to Samuel. His obedience resulted in the Lord continuing to speak to him, giving messages for Samuel to repeat to the people of Israel. They would, in turn, repeat the message to each other, and God’s message spread to all the people of Israel because of Samuel’s obedience (3:21).

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:7-8

SAMUEL HAD A HEART THAT DESIRED TO OBEY AND GOD USED HIS OBEDIENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Samuel knew the purpose to which God had called him and his heart’s desire was to live out that purpose. He knew his parents had given him to God at a young age – he knew where he came from and Samuel knew to whom he now belonged. He recognized that the heart of Israel had strayed from God, and he was willing to be used by God to help bring them back to a place of repentance.

The Philistines had captured the Ark of God, and the Israelites feared God had left them as well. The Philistines placed the Ark of God in the temple of their god, Dagon. The next morning, they found their idol had fallen on its face in front of the Ark of the Lord. They set it back up, but the next morning they found it had fallen again, but this time its head and hands had broken off. A plague of Tumors struck all the people in Ashdod. Recognizing that this was related to the presence of the Ark, they moved it to Gath, but a plague of tumors struck that town as well. So they put the Ark on a cart pulled by two cows who had just given birth, and they watched to see where the cows would go. Although their nature would have been to stay close to their calves, the cows pulled the cart back across the border and into Israelite territory.

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord. – 1 Samuel 7:3-4

Because Samuel was obedient and willing to be used by God in the lives of others, the Israelites found their way back to God. Samuel prayed for God’s people and led them in confession and fasting. His humble servant attitude led the people of Israel to know that it was not Samuel who could save them, but the God to whom Samuel prayed.

“Don’t stop pleading with the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines!” they begged Samuel…He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel and the Lord answered him. – 1 Samuel 7:8-9

SAMUEL LEARNED HOW TO LISTEN FOR THE VOICE OF GOD AND RECOGNIZE WHEN THE LORD HAD A MESSAGE FOR HIS PEOPLE.

Samuel was Israel’s judge for the remainder of his life (7:15). He served God faithfully and his leadership helped God’s people to return to Him. His mother, Hannah, had sacrificially given her son back to God, and God had faithfully used Samuel to make an impact on His people. Hannah let go of what the current culture said was rightfully hers because she recognized that her son would always belong to God.

Dear Jesus, I desire to have a servant heart, just as Samuel did. Give me ears to recognize your voice and the courage to respond in submissive obedience. Lord, take away any fear or doubt I may have and replace it with the boldness to be your voice in the lives of others. Lord, this morning I pray for our nation. Help us to see our sins and turn to you in repentance. May we once again become a nation that trusts in God. We pray for the leadership of each state and of our nation, that they would recognize your existence and bow to your authority. Father God, please heal our land. Amen.

The voice of the Lord strikes
with bolts of lightning.
The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:7-11

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22, Psalm 29

Am I so relaxed that I have become lazy?
Has comfortable slowly turned into sloppy?
Have I become apathetic to the needs of others?
Do these blessings make me look fat?

There were some treacherous things going on at the place of worship where Samuel was now living. Eli’s sons had no respect for the Lord or for the sacrifices God’s people were coming to Shiloh to offer. They were even seducing the young women assisting at the Tabernacle. They knew what they were doing was wrong but they intentionally chose sin over obedience. Eli was aware of what his sons were doing, and he pleaded with them to stop sinning.

“I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? You must stop, my sons!” – 1 Samuel 2:23-24

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RECOGNIZE GOD’S VOICE BUT FAIL TO OBEY?

Eli did not remove his sons from their place of honor even when they continued sinning, so the Lord sent a message to Eli through a man of God: I have revealed myself to your ancestors, I chose your family for this ministry, I assigned you to something VERY holy. Why do you scorn all of this by giving your sons more honor than you give me? You and your sons have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel! (2:27-29). In essence, God was saying — they are sacrificing while you are indulging; with my blessings you have made yourself comfortable instead of making yourself useful.

Eli’s sons were sinning against God by what they did; Eli was sinning against God by what he did NOT do. All were disobedient and all were punished by God. God had placed Eli in leadership within the people of Israel and his failure to be the spiritual leader God had called him to be caused his death, the death of his two sons, the death of 30,000 Israelite soldiers and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4).

OUR SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD CAN DESTROY OUR LIVES AND DESTROY THOSE AROUND US.

God has a plan to use us in the lives of others, but what happens when we choose our own ways instead of His? What happens when we disobey or delay our obedience rather than respond as Samuel did? What happens when we keep God’s blessings for ourselves instead of passing them on and using them as He directs?

Hannah knew the joy of giving God’s biggest blessing back to Him. God generously responded to Hannah’s prayers and she responded back with a generous heart towards God. God blessed Hannah for serving Him in this way. Eli had also been blessed by God but became comfortable in his leadership position, not taking action when he should have.

God, show me any disobedience in my life – disobedience by what I am doing or by what I am NOT doing. May I not get fat on your blessings but know that I am saved to serve, that I have been chosen by you for a role in the lives of others. Lord, use me and hear my prayers on the behalf of others as I plead for their salvation and healing. Forgive me; empty me out of anything that is all me so that I may be filled with you and you only today. May I always know to whom I belong and may I always respond to your voice. Amen.

Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic. – Psalm 29:3-4

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1:27 – 2:21; Psalm 71

THE LORD HAS MADE ME STRONG.

“I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong, Now I have an answer for my enemies,
I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you; There is no Rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 1:27–2:2

Hannah prayed for a larger sacrifice and God answered her prayer. After giving her son to the Lord, Hannah worshiped God and she was filled with joy — a much different emotion for Hannah than the bitter anguish she had experienced before God answered her prayer. After making what had to have been a difficult sacrifice for a mother, God was faithful to give Hannah joy in place of her sacrifice. Her faith was strengthened and she was confident that the Lord, the Rock, was the source of that strength.

THE LORD GIVES US STRENGTH FOR WHATEVER SACRIFICE HE IS ASKING US TO MAKE.

…Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest. Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. – 1 Sam. 2:18-19

In 2011, my dear friend, Dave Brown, gave me this passage of Scripture as we were grieving the loss of one ministry and preparing for the next. He pointed out that the coat Hannah brought Samuel each year must have been too big for him in order for him to be able to grow into it by the end of the year. As soon as the coat fit, she’d give him a new one.

Sometimes God gives us a new coat — a bigger coat. The price of our faithfulness to what God has given us is that sometimes He takes that away and gives us something new that requires that same faithfulness. He moves us out of our comfortable, broken-in coat into a new unfamiliar coat.

In 2021, our family again experienced the mixed emotions of having a comfortable coat removed as God placed on our shoulders a new coat — a coat that has taken some time to get used to and that still requires some “growing into.” Perhaps God is trying to place a new coat on you as well — one you are resistant or uncomfortable in. Like Hannah, we can rejoice with confidence that we serve a holy God who is strong like a Rock and gives us strength for whatever sacrifice He is asking us to make.

Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord.” And the Lord gave Hannah three sons and three daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. – 1 Samuel 2:20-21

THE LORD CAN DRASTICALLY CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Hannah’s life was radically reversed as God blessed her generously. In response, she sang of how her Creator is able to drastically change someone’s circumstances. Hannah sang of God’s protection over His faithful ones, and her song reminds us that NO ONE SUCCEEDS BY THEIR OWN STRENGTH ALONE. God empowers his king and increases the strength of his anointed one (2:9-10). What a great reminder this morning as I drink my morning coffee. While God saw the heart of Hannah, Hannah saw the strength of God.

There are times when we may not feel strong enough for the new coat God has placed on our shoulders, but perhaps it is in these weakest moments that we begin looking up and reaching out to the Lord. He is faithful to lift us out of our despair and set our feet on solid ground; He steadies us as we obediently walk the path He has laid out before us (Psalm 40:2). All we have to do is stop trying to do this on our own and allow God to be our strength.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again. – Psalm 71:19-21

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-26 & Psalm 67

When Naomi found herself without her sons and without grandchildren, she felt sorry for herself and blamed God for the pain that life had dealt her. Where was Naomi’s prayer life? Did she call on God? Even after Ruth gave birth to Obed, we hear the women in Bethlehem praising God but the author leaves out Naomi’s praise. We know she found great joy in caring for her grandson, but did she spend as much time thanking God as she had blaming God and taking pity on herself?

Hannah was just as grief stricken to be without children as Naomi was to have lost hers. But what we see in Hannah’s story is a woman who prayed to God for the desires of her heart and her prayers were answered. Her story teaches us how to pray and reveals the heart behind her prayers.

GOD SAW HANNAH’S HEART

Hannah was barren and wanted to have a baby. Scripture says Hannah prayed “out of great anguish and sorrow” (1 Samuel 1:16). I’ve read this story many times and have always been able to relate to Hannah’s heart because of my own struggle with infertility before I was healed. But one day, while again reading through 1 Samuel, God graciously showed me something different in Hannah’s story.

I used to think Hannah wanted a child so that she could have a child. That makes sense to me. But then she gives him back to the Lord and is again without a child — a part of the story that has always confused me. Hannah’s intent was always to GIVE THE CHILD BACK TO GOD, not just in the way we do when we dedicate our children to the Lord but to literally give her child to the Church and again be without him. If I focus on the annual sacrifice, I see the heart behind Hannah’s desire to have a son.

The portion of the meat Hannah was given to sacrifice was choice (some translations say it was a double portion) and it showed Elkanah’s great love for her, but it still reflected the reality that she was without children. She prayed for a child so that she would have something of great worth to give back to God. She could give the most incredible sacrifice a mother could ever give — her son.

God saw Hannah’s heart — saw that it was out of love for God that she asked for something God would see as priceless and beyond the value of any other sacrifice. God, who knew He would one day offer His own son as a sacrifice, understood the cost. He understood Hannah’s heart and He answered her prayer.

GOD SAW HANNAH’S FAITH

When Hannah explained the reason behind her great anguish and sorrow to the priest, Eli, he responded: “In that case, go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him” (1:17). And that is exactly what Hannah did — she left with a peace and confidence that God would indeed answer her prayer. No longer sad, Hannah went back and began to eat again.

What great faith Hannah had! She was already celebrating her answered prayer. Was she pregnant? No, Hannah’s prayer had not yet been answered but she believed that God would grant her request. Hannah was allowing the Lord to fill her heart with joy again — even before her prayer was answered.

When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” – 1 Samuel 1:19b–20

And next we see the heart of Hannah’s husband. When Hannah told Elkanah of her plans to leave Samuel at the Tabernacle, his response was “Whatever you think is best.” Let’s not miss the fact that he would soon be losing the son he loved. In fact, Elkanah could have forbidden such a sacrifice, but he instead affirmed and supported Hannah’s promise to God. Elkanah loved Hannah and had seen her joy return in the birth of her son, yet he recognized the struggle that was ahead. They knew it would be difficult to give Samuel to the Lord and Elkanah prayed for help from the Lord. He recognized that the God they served could give them the strength to do exactly what they had committed to do.

GOD GAVE HANNAH STRENGTH

When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there. – 1 Samuel 1:24-28

Hannah went from carrying a small sacrifice of meat to Shiloh to pulling along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice. What a difference! She was traveling to Shiloh to give God her best — to lovingly place her son in the arms of the Church and allow God to use his life for the Kingdom. The bull represented the value of all God’s blessings and all she was looking forward to giving back to God. God had blessed her generously so that she could give back to Him. God had seen the desire of her heart!

Lord, give me the heart of Hannah – give me her PASSION to be generous with you and her great FAITH to trust you. Then give me the STRENGTH to do all you have called me to do and all I committed to you. I thank you from the depth of my heart for the three wonderful daughters you have given me. I will forever be blessed by this gift of motherhood and I commit to leaving them in your hands so that you can fulfill your purposes through them. Amen.

May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us. – Psalm 67:1

Today’s Reading: Ruth 2-4; Psalm 55

“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” – Ruth 1:16

During her time of discouragement and grief, Naomi was blessed to have the love and care of her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Returning to her homeland and her relatives without her husband and sons was difficult for Naomi. It was late spring, the beginning of harvest time, but no one had been there to care for Naomi’s land. This meant there was nothing to harvest, therefore nothing to eat. Ruth volunteered to go and gather any stalks left behind by those harvesting their fields.

Ruth found herself at the field of a relative of Naomi’s husband. When Boaz inquired about this woman who was gathering grain in his fields, he learned that it was the Moabite woman he had heard so much about. He knew she chose to leave her family behind in order to care for Naomi. He provided safety for her by inviting her to continue to gather grain in his fields and to drink from the water the workers had drawn from the well.

“May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” – Ruth 2:12

Boaz allowed Ruth to eat lunch with them and told his workers to be sure to intentionally drop extra grain for her to pick up as she followed them in the fields. That night she brought home a full basket of grain to Naomi.

Every day, Ruth returned to the fields of Boaz to gather grain. At the end of the harvest, Naomi instructed her to approach Boaz privately, asking him to “spread the corner of his covering” over her. Boaz treated Ruth kindly and sent her back to Naomi with 6 scoops of barley.

BOAZ HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE FAMILY REDEEMER FOR NAOMI AND RUTH.

Boaz then went to Elimelech’s next of kin to ask if he was going to buy Naomi’s land and marry Ruth. When the family member voiced his concern over what it might cost him to redeem his inheritance, Boaz offered to purchase the land and marry Ruth. God blessed their marriage and Ruth gave birth to a son, even though she had never been able to have children with her first husband.

God saw the broken heart of Naomi and He was not done blessing her. Through a “family redeemer”, God provided Ruth with both a husband and a son. God showed His loving care of a grieving widow and her loyal daughter-in-law. The women of Bethlehem rejoiced and said to Naomi:

“Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. – Ruth 4:14b-17

TRUST GOD THROUGH THE TRAGEDIES. HE CAN REDEEM OUR STORY FOR HIS GLORY!

God knows the good things He has planned for us and our children. From Naomi’s grandson would come the first King of Israel and then the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. What a great reminder for us to trust God through the tragedies — to let the hard times increase our faith and trust in the God who knows what is ahead and loves us enough to send His son to die on a cross for us — to become our ultimate Redeemer. Praise the Lord, who has provided a Redeemer for all of us!

But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them…
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:16-19a, 22