Devotion Thoughts - 17/05/2011

1 Samuel 20:1-42. 1 Samuel 21:1-15

'... David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has sent me on a secret mission and told me to not tell anyone else about it ..."' 1Sa 21:2.

David's deceitful actions were to cost the life of innocent Ahimelech. In our readings, others who were involved in deceit included: Saul, towards David; Jonathan, towards Saul; and David, towards Achish, king of Gath.

Is there ever any justification for deceitfulness? If dishonesty for self-gain is involved there is no justification. But if I should know someone is guilty of an as yet undisclosed sin, I can either speak (or gossip!) about it and cause further hurt that will also harm others, or I can keep quiet about it in order to protect any who would be harmed by disclosures (technically deceitful, but also caring, which carries God's approval).

Here's something else: David's deceit was for personal benefit, but the ripples spread wide and, because of Doeg, cost the lives of the priest and most of his family. But David did not learn from this. Later, he again used deceit for personal benefit in the murder of Uriah the Hittite, trying to cover his adultery with Bathsheba. This time God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his ongoing deceitfulness.

If we repeat certain sins God brings us to book so that, like David, we have the opportunity to confess and say, 'I have sinned!' (2 Samuel 12:13). For Believers confession is spiritually therapeutic!

John 9:1-41

'I do the work God sent me to do while there is opportunity, for the end is coming after which it will no longer be possible to work' (v.4, my paraphrase).

There is no guarantee that we will see another sunrise. We might die today, but it could also be that the Lord returns, signifying the end of this age. Either way is OK for Believers!

However, if God chooses to allow us to continue with earthly life for a while longer then we should follow the example set by Jesus. Let us get on with the business of witnessing to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour, Who died for the sins of the world, so that whosoever believes in him shall have everlasting life and live with God forever in His Kingdom.

Maranatha (even so, come Lord Jesus).

Psalm 113:1-9

Praise the LORD. You servants of the LORD, praise the Lord; praise the name of the LORD. (v.1).

There is no greater ministry for Believers than to worship Almighty God!

Psalm 114:1-8

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, ... the God of Jacob, Who turned rock into water, and flint into a fountain of waters (vv.7,8). (My paraphrase).

Believers, rejoice in God, for He can turn the hardest of situations into fountains of blessing!

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Devotion Thoughts - 16/05/2011

1 Samuel 18:5-30.  1 Samuel 19:1-24
'It happened ... that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul ...' (18.10).
Confusing, isn't it? God sending a demon to upset Saul! What's going on?
Well, it's a manner of speaking. We find an answer in two parallel passages that describe an incident in the life of David. They are 2 Samuel 24:1 (God makes David take a census) and 1 Chronicles 21:1 (Satan makes David take a census). The verses following each of these references make it clear that they relate to the same incident.
For me the explanation is simple: taking a census was an unnecessary vanity on David's part; why bother to find out how strong his army was when he was supposed to trust God for protection and victory? Surely he had learned that much already?
Father God wants to teach His beloved child, David, a lesson; temporarily removing His protection from around David allows the ever-present Satan an opportunity to attack! So, however we describe the incident, the end result is the same: David is punished.
I also see this as proof of God's protecting power around Believers. Our Father God allows trials for our good (1 Corinthians 10:13). By trusting Him throughout them, we will become stronger Believers through seeing how God rescues us from every evil.
John 8:31-59
Jesus said to those who believed him, If you obey my teachings then you are truly my disciples; and you shall know the truth, and it shall make you free. (vv.31,32).
In John 14:6 John writes that Jesus called Himself 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life'. It is a way of saying that there is no other way to God the Father, a message drummed into His disciples by the Father Himself Who said,'This is my beloved Son; listen to Him!' (Matthew 17:5).  Now we have Jesus confirming that we need to believe on Him, obey His teachings and then only are we His disciples. Those Christians who do not obey all His teachings are not, by those criteria, His disciples.
Psalm 112:1-10
'Surely... the righteous shall be remembered forever' (v.6).
We know that at the Judgment the books in which details of our earthly lives have been recorded will be scrutinized. Fortunately for Believers, the sins they committed on earth will have been expunged from the record by God. Great! But that's not all! The verse says that Believers (I'm using writers' liberty here, but it is still correct!) will be remembered forever. For what? Well, if only our bad deeds are forgotten, then we can only be remembered.
Thank You for Your kindness, Lord!

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