Only One

February 7, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

1 Samuel 17

Today it is common to look for strength in numbers. Whether it is a wild crowd protesting, or the number of children at a Sunday School picnic, we often place a value on numbers. Actually this is anti-Biblical. Over and over again God points out, in His Word, that one person is important to Him. After all, hosts of angels celebrate the conversion of just one soul (Luke 15:10)….and most of us are familiar with the account Jesus gave of the shepherd leaving 99 safe sheep to search for one that was lost (Luke 15:4).

Our scripture today tells a story we often use in Sunday School to impress children with the amazing courage of David when he faced the giant Goliath. Certainly David becomes a Biblical hero on more than one occasion, but we must never forget he also had a weak side. The Psalms show us how he frequently had to seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Why then is the story of David and Goliath included in the cannon of scripture?

There are many lessons we can learn. What governed David’s heart and mind? His God is the God of the impossible. Mankind often is governed by fear. Power is thought to belong to armies with the greatest number, or the biggest men…and so forth. David did not rely on his own ingenuity when facing Goliath. He trusted his God.

Re-reading this old familiar story I realized that God chose to use one man with one sling and one stone…only one!

This challenged my heart. If I turn my life over to God’s control He will use one elderly lady to accomplish His purposes. Since He is the God of all power He could have used anyone, but God chose a young man, inexperienced in warfare, or so it would seem. What does God see that He can use, when He looks at you and me?

Quietly behind the scenes God had been preparing David for this moment in time. As he strummed his harp on the hillsides of Judea, singing praises to Almighty God, he had no idea that his poetry would live down through generations of time, reaching you and me today with truths about God and the comfort His presence gives to the lonely or forsaken. You see – David’s family didn’t think much of this young lad. He was given the job of looking after their sheep while his older brothers went off to war. The family didn’t know that meeting the terrors of wild animals, lions and bears who were after his sheep, would give David opportunity to study God’s strategies for overcoming.

Established in his worship, David’s total confidence was in the God of Israel. This is the secret of his strength and courage. We get a glimpse of his heart as he proclaimed the name of “the living God” (1 Samuel 17:26, 36). The God of Israel was not an idol made by human hands out of stone, but He is the God of miracles, alive to any dangers His people may face! David’s brothers mocked him (17:28) but David went on to encourage King Saul to believe in the power of God (17:32, 36). Furthermore David announced to Goliath himself “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (17:45). He warned his enemy that “the whole world will know there is a God in Israel” (17:46)

The armies of both Israel and the Philistines stood mesmerized by the audacity of this young man! They learned that he spoke truth, as he faced Goliath. Warning him that he would cut off his head almost seemed like a joke, yet his threat was not against Goliath alone; he also cried out ”Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth” (17:46). After 40 days of taunting the Israelite army, did one young man really think he could route the armies of the Philistines?

Yet – it came to pass. God used one young man who threw off the heavy protective gear loaned to him by King Saul (17:38-39). He used the tools he was familiar with, facing the hatred and ridicule of the giant before him (17:40, 42-44). Can’t you imagine how we might tremble in such a situation? But David triumphed (17:50)!

Reflection:

Reading David’s story just thrilled my heart as I was reminded of the greatness of our glorious God! It challenged me to search my heart, to see if my view of God was as pure and true, as David’s. I am only one person, but according to the history of God’s purpose and power, I know He can still use me. He is not relying on numbers, but rather God is looking for a committed heart. As I enter into a new year am I willing to give Him my all?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Faith or Fear?

June 13, 2021 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 10:13

The question arose in our Bible study: “What if I ask God for something that isn’t good for me and He gives it to me?”*¹ Such a question gives rise to more. “Is God the author of evil?”*² “Does God ever test us?”*³

The second question requires an answer first. Is God the author of evil? Scripture holds answers for us. James 1:13 tells us “God cannot be tempted by evil and He, Himself, does not tempt anyone”. Jesus’ temptation in the desert was clearly from Satan (Matthew 4). When God’s judgment [calamity, disaster] falls, many would call that an evil, but it is not morally wrong to punish sin. To understand the moral nature of God, we need to know that sin is not a created thing, but rather our response to circumstance, the lack of moral perfection in a fallen creature.

How would it be possible to trust a God who is the author of confusion, One who wavers from one decision to another, One who possibly lies? Paul assures us “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). The arch-enemy of God is known to be the Father of lies. Jesus gives us a bio on the devil – a murderer from the beginning, in whom there is no truth (John 8:44). On the other hand scripture defines the character of God. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and then not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19). Perhaps we should consider – if God warned of judgment for sin and did not perform it, could we trust His word?

This gives rise to another question. “Does God mean what He says?” We know Adam and Eve fell from grace when they questioned God’s word. Satan helped them: “Did God really say….?” (Genesis 3:1). We need to be careful as we read scripture not to question what God has said. That attitude determines if we are indeed people of faith.

Another question that sometimes gives rise to fear is “Does God ever test us?” Of course He does. The Psalmist prayed: “Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2). Perhaps that seems like quite a bold prayer. That creates a transparent relationship between us and God so that we can/will keep short accounts when we sin. Most of us have things in our lives we wouldn’t want spread across the news, but God Almighty already knows these things. Does that strike fear into our innermost being, or do we trust His mercy and His grace? Job knew what it meant to be tested and praised God that “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Back to our first question. Will God give us things that are not good for us? It may seem so on the surface, but underneath are the Everlasting Arms. Do we trust Him completely to bring good out of difficult situations. What determines whether something is good for us – our comfort, our convenience, our success?…and the list goes on. What are the lessons we learn during those times of testing? Would we have learned to trust Him under happier circumstances? In the end we can trust God to give us what we need.

What exquisite joy – knowing He never leaves us or forsakes us! And – we have His promise for those times when we may even be tempted: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man”. Is there any comfort in knowing others have gone through similar circumstances and come out on the other side glorifying God?….Paul continues “And God is faithful! He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Reflection:

Faith or fear? Which defines your earthly pilgrimage? “There is no fear in love – perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). However, there is another implication in the word fear. People who truly fear God [respect, honour, glorify God] know His Holy Word is to be trusted. They know they are accepted by His loving heart, warts and all. People who live in fear of judgment don’t understand the amazing character of our Sovereign Lord. Even in failure, God gives us hope. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). His faithfulness is the cornerstone of our Christian faith, and casts out fear. When things get tough do we have the right to accuse God of bringing evil into our lives?*² Are we afraid we may not pass the test?*³ Or, will we celebrate the goodness of God, which equips us for victory?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Overwhelmed With Dread

September 29, 2019 AdminLeave a comment

starry sky over mountains — Photo by Cliford Mervil on Pexels.com

Psalm 14

Technology takes us around the world today to where we can view the detailed sufferings of humankind. Should war and famine, abuses arising from anger or hatred, political unrest and persecution become an immediate threat to us in North America, we ourselves might be overwhelmed by dread.

David wrote that the Lord looks down on the sons of men, from heaven. His vantage point may seem external, but the Bible also tells us that God knows the thoughts and intentions of each heart. This is what He finds: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) How hopeless does that sound? Yet God who created humans, blesses the man/woman who trusts in Him, making him/her as secure as a tree planted by the water (Jeremiah 17:7).

God does not want you or me to feel overwhelmed by dread. He assures us through the Apostle Paul, who wrote: “God did not give us a spirit of timidity [fear], but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). What causes us to dread something? The knowledge that our hearts are not right before God may be a contributing factor. We do have a conscience that informs our psyche, allowing us to be a peace in the midst of turmoil and even suffering, but also condemning us when we are wrong.

Some people think God searches our hearts to punish us for our evil thoughts and desires, but really God is looking for righteousness, those who are seeking fellowship with Himself (Psalm 14:2). When He sees that, God will go to any lengths to ensure such fellowship is vibrant, real through a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. We see illustrations of that in the lives of the Centurion and Lydia, recorded for us in the book of Acts.

Certainly God will punish evildoers, those who persecute His people. These folks never seem to learn. They just don’t get it! We see the problem occurring over centuries of time. The tendency of that heart which denies God, is to “do what is right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25 KJV).The evil is not confined to what they do, but stems from the notion that they are their own god. This is what ought to fill us with overwhelming dread.

In this Psalm David yearns for the establishment of God’s Messianic kingdom (:6-7). When Jesus returns to earth the powers of evil will be overwhelmed by the radiance of His glory! Every knee shall bow (Romans 14:11). What a glorious hope that overwhelms every dreaded thought!

Reflection:

Who is it that searches your heart and mine? (Jeremiah 17:10)

What is God’s attitude towards evil?

How far will God go to provide a way for you and me to escape evil? (1 Corinthians 10:13)

What frees you from a spirit of dread?