Listening to the Word

1 Samuel 28-29; Psalms 109; Matthew 11   “’And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.’” Matthew 11:23, 24 Jesus denounced his hometown of Capernaum for not responding with repentance to the miracles they witnessed. The healing of the centurion’s servant, countless demonized people set free, the paralytic man healed and his sins forgiven, all took place in Capernaum. Jesus taught that towns and cities will be judged, not just individual people. The judgment of Sodom, a city ruled by homosexual passion, would be more bearable than the judgment of Capernaum, the town on the shore of Galilee. Why? Because God’s judgment would be received. To whom much has been given, much is required. Those who have the written Word of God, forgiveness of sin, mater...

1 Samuel 27; Psalms 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10   “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness…’As you go preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’” Matthew 10:1, 7, 8 The message of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus gave his disciples to preach required them to receive the authority of the king before they were sent out. The disciples of Jesus were required to make their relationship with Jesus more important than any other family relationship. Their authority to represent the king came from their submission to the king. This message of the good news of the kingdom of heaven was then to be demonstrated by driving out evil spirits in the lives of those who came to them for healing. This kingdom authority was more than eloquent preaching; it set captives free and bro...

1 Samuel 25-26; Psalms 63; Matthew 9   “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples…On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Matthew 9:10, 12, 13 The tax collectors of Jesus’ day were seen in the same category of uncleanness as the prostitutes. The betrayal of collecting taxes from fellow Jews for Roman occupiers was compounded by their abuse of this position of authority to demand even more and personally enrich themselves. To eat in a tax collector’s home was forbidden for an observant Jew. Yet Jesus defined this kind of social interaction as the focus of his ministry. He came to call sinners, the unclean, to the good news of the kingdom. However, this approach to ministry and life would require “mercy not sacrifice.” Are we living wit...

1 Samuel 24; Psalms 57-58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8 “’See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion…’” 1 Samuel 24:11 Saul’s robe represented his authority and covering. David was conscience-stricken at cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe because he understood what that represented. When Saul desperately grabbed for Samuel’s robe (authority), it tore. This act symbolized God’s removal of the kingdom from Saul (1 Samuel 15:27).   Are we grasping at authority, or cutting it away from others the Lord has put in place? It is the Lord who provides the covering (robe), or authority, and calls us to serve under his authority for our own protection. When Jesus declared he had been given all authority in heaven and on earth, he, too, was reminding his disciples that he was in submission to the Father. It was because of his submission and obedienc...

1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31, 54; Matthew 7 “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” Psalm 31:19, 20 David found refuge and relief, not in a physical retreat center, or a fortified castle, but in the presence of the Lord. In God’s presence, David experienced God’s goodness, his protection, and his favour. However, it was up to David to seek the presence of the Lord no matter where he was physically. While fleeing Saul, David lived as a hunted fugitive. Betrayal was a potential fate every day. Who could he trust? The words of those around him were like arrows of accusation. Only in the presence of the Lord did David find relief. Worship and meditation on the promises of God restored the strength and peace of his heart. David lived with an audience of one, ...

1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17, 35; Matthew 6 “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.’” Psalm 35:1-3 David processed his feelings and response to Saul’s campaign against him in his prayer journal. David believed that God literally would be a warrior contending with those who sought to kill him.   In our tests, do we look to fight flesh and blood? Or do we, like David, call on the Lord to deliver us and fight our battles for us? David relied on the inner voice of the Holy Spirit speaking salvation to him. This inner peace was based on the reality of God’s presence in David’s life. David’s humility released God to come to his aid. Will we, too, humble ourselves before God and in conflict, forgive and release others, and ask the Lord to fight our battles for us? When we process our feelings in pr...