Listening to the Word

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...

1 Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34, Matthew 5   “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them…Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” Psalm 34:4, 7, 9 Fear of man is a snare that traps us and keeps us from the freedom Christ has won for us. The fear of the Lord is the key to walking in wisdom and understanding. The fear of the Lord is a reverence for God’s presence and a commitment to walk in God’s ways. As David fled the presence of King Saul, he wrote about the fears he was fleeing from. However, David’s greater focus was his fear of the Lord and his desire to honor God in how he lived, even as a fugitive. David did not return evil with evil. Instead, he determined to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:13, 14). When we fear God, we trust him to deliver us from our fe...

1 Samuel 19: 1 Chronicles 7; Psalms 59, Matthew 4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God!’” Matthew 4:4 Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptation to turn stones into bread to satisfy his physical hunger was to quote Deuteronomy 8:3 and Moses’ words to Israel regarding their hunger in the desert. God humbled Israel, causing them to hunger in order to reveal to them their need for daily bread/manna which only he could provide. We, too, share the same need to be satisfied by God alone. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread…,” he was speaking about more than food. He was speaking about manna and the provision of life which we can only find from God. Listening to the Word - every word that comes from the mouth of God - is a privilege for the sons and daughters of God. We were made to listen and obey God’s Word and in doing so, find our life comes from him. Listening to the Word i...

1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalms 11, Matthew 3   “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. So he sent David away from him…When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.” 1 Samuel 18:12, 13, 28, 29 Spiritual jealousy is deceptive because it can be justified by spiritual language and hidden by seemingly honorable actions. Saul used military campaigns and even marriage to his daughter in his attempt to destroy David. He was jealous of God’s evident presence with David. Jealousy and fear work together to form bitterness if we allow them access to our heart. If we enjoy the anointing of the Spirit of God in our lives, we, too, will face jealousy like Saul. How we respond will determine whether we will continue to walk in the Spirit’s anointing, or whether we will become like Saul. “Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive and bless...

1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9; Matthew 2 “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.’” 1 Samuel 17:45, 46 David might not have had a sword in his hand the day he faced Goliath, but the sword of the Lord was in his mouth as the faith-filled word of the Lord was proclaimed. As Paul described the armour of God, he included the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions…” (Ephesians 6:17, 18). Those filled with the Spirit as David was, speak the word of the Lord with great boldness. This “sword” defeats giants of fear, greed, lust, and pride that are opposing the people of God and the work of God. As we “listen to the word” our hearts grow in faith, and we have a word in season no matter what context or battle...

1 Samuel 15-16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1   “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 What does the Lord see when he looks at us? The world focuses on our outward appearance and so do we. Huge industries are focused on updating and improving our outward appearance. Some of the top surgeons in the world are focused on cosmetic surgery, not on saving lives; however, God’s eyes are on the heart. David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet even David sinned and he let fear, murder, and lust fill his heart. In his prayer of repentance, David asked God to create in him a pure heart and to renew a steadfast spirit within him (Psalm 51:10). He prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23). David knew God’s value on his heart.   Do we? Today, what is our response to God’s gaze ...

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13   “Finally, brothers [and sisters], good-by! Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 In Paul’s final words to the Corinthian church, he called them to joy, to full restoration from the influences of sin, to encouraging each other, to unity, and to peace. How would all this be possible? The God of love and peace would be with them - and with us. Most of Paul’s final words focus on relationships with each other and with God. Paul was their spiritual father and he wanted his children to love each other and love God who had birthed them into his family. Are these our priorities as we reflect on our life and the church in which we are a part? Are we walking in joy in the most important relationships in our lives? Who can we encourage today? Where are we being invited into a “one mind” unity with others who love and follow Jesus? In what ways ...

I Samuel 13; I Chronicles 2-3; 2 Corinthians 12   “’…the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’” 1 Samuel 13:14 The Lord sought out a man after his own heart, one who would obey his commands and live under his authority. Samuel declared this intention of the Lord to Saul at the beginning of his leadership of Israel. Insecurity, fear of man, and other pre-existing strongholds in Saul’s life grew because of his awareness of the requirement. Saul knew that the Lord was not pleased with his heart and would eventually replace him. How attentive are we to the state of our heart? Are we more interested in God’s perspective than that of others? It is the Lord who pursues leaders to fill strategic positions in his kingdom. David replaced Saul because the Lord sought out David’s heart and it pleased him. When the Lord is our focus, he will position us in his kingdom where he chooses. Let the Lord ta...

I Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11 “’…serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name, the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.’” 1 Samuel 12:20-22 “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ…Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:2, 28) Both Samuel and Paul ended their public ministries with a call to God’s people to be faithful to the Lord. Both Samuel and Paul were clear that the people of God belonged to the Lord, not to these leaders. When leaders who plant churches or begin ministries believe people are serving them rather than the Lord, they lose their way. Few dynamic ministries finish well. To finish well we must continue to die to self and follow Jesus so that he becomes greater a...

1 Samuel 8-10; 2 Corinthians 10 “…Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ And the Lord said, ‘Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’” 1 Samuel 10:21, 22 “’By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you - I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away.’” 2 Corinthians 10:1 There is a big difference between the fear of man and humility. Before he was filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul feared man. Although physically taller than others, Saul’s fear of man would later become a snare in his life. He also feared failure because of how failure would make him appear in the eyes of others. Fear is rooted in comparison with others and an identity of never being enough. We feel we are not smart enough, rich enough, beautiful enough, or strong enough because we have not yet found our sufficiency in the love of God for us. Paul, whose name...

1 Samuel 6-7; Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9   “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the Lord helped us.’” 1 Samuel 7:12 Although Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah, he chose the place of God’s deliverance of Israel from the Philistines as the place of remembrance. Samuel chose a stone, not cut out by human hands, as the symbol of remembrance. He chose the name Ebenezer, which means ‘stone of help’ as the identifier of the remembrance. “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” In other words, the battle is the Lord’s, and the battlefield would always be remembered as the place a humbled and repentant Israel experienced God’s sovereign intervention against an enemy that was too strong for them. There would be more battles in the future; but acknowledging the Lord’s gracious intervention gives him glory and serves as a reminder to future generations of what God did and who God is. He is our Ebenezer. “Lord God,...

1 Samuel 3-5; Psalms 77; 2 Corinthians 8   “The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel…Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” 1 Samuel 3:3, 4, 7 The lamp of the Lord in the tabernacle was never to go out. Its fire represented the light of God’s presence and spirit. However, the sins of Eli and his sons grieved God so that eventually they experienced “Ichabod,” the departure of God’s glory, or presence, and the ark over which the Glory dwelled (1 Samuel 4:21). It was Samuel who kept the fire of God’s presence and Word continually lit during his lifetime. Once Samuel learned to listen to the Word, God’s revelation extended through Samuel to Israel. Have we learned to listen to the Word? The revelation we receive is not just for us, but for our family and our sphere of influence. Pauls’ prayer for the Ephesian Church was that the ...

1 Samuel 1-2; Psalms 66; 2 Corinthians 7 “’The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts…It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.’” 1 Samuel 2:6, 7, 9, 10 Hannah’s desperate cry to God for a son, who later represented God’s favour and blessing on her life as a wife and mother, took her to places of discovery with God that she would not have experienced otherwise. In the crucible of testing our hearts are examined by the Lord and what is in our heart is exposed. Hannah’s heart exposed faith in God, humility, and a willingness to sacrifice all for the Lord. She experienced God’s gift of a son; but more than that, she experienced the revelation of who God is. In surrender before the Lord, Hannah found God’s strength, mercy, provision, and honour. This is true for bot...

Ruth 3-4; Psalms 64-65; 2 Corinthians 6   “’Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer [guardian-redeemer].’” Ruth 3:9 Ruth’s faith-filled request for Boaz to spread the corner of his garment over her could have been rejected. Yet it is this humility and faith-filled plea that God looks for in extending salvation to those who come to him. Some translations use the word “wings” instead of “corner of your garment.” Both words represent protection and refuge. The redeemer, or guardian-redeemer, was the closest relative who could intervene in the case of a widow who was childless. To maintain the family name and lineage the redeemer would marry the widow and acquire her property. In Christ, we have received a guardian-redeemer who has adopted us into his family and brought us under the shelter of his wings. We now belong to him and have been given the name of Jesus Christ. This approach of fai...

Ruth 1-2; Psalms 53, 61; 2 Corinthians 5   “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” Psalm 61:1-3 “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1 Both David and Paul knew the refuge of God’s presence in the midst of their spiritual battles. Where do we turn in the midst of our tests, conflicts, and crucibles? David knew refuge in caves and rocky strongholds in the Judean desert. However, he also knew only the Lord could lead him to the “rock that is higher than I.” Paul was a tentmaker, yet he also realized his eternal home was a building from God, not built by human hands. Paul lived by faith and not by sight. His ‘home’ was in the Lord. Where have we found a refuge, or ‘home’? We were crea...

Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4 “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.” 2 Corinthians 4:10, 14 Without death there is no resurrection. The resurrection-life of Jesus within us requires us first to die with Christ to our sinful nature. Our false self, or sinful nature, is continually asserting itself through religious performance, self-promotion, self-protection, and fear. This sinful nature was challenged by sacrificial love and defeated by Christ on the cross. It was cruciform love which moved Christ to the cross and it is cruciform love which moves us to deny ourselves (our sinful nature), take up our cross, and follow Jesus. The degree to which we choose to daily live this way, allows us to experience the resurrection life of Jesus flowing in us and through us, through the...

Judges 17-18; Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3   “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect on the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18 Paul pointed to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of disciples of Christ as the key to ongoing transformation into the image of Christ. Why? …because it is the Lord Jesus who is the Spirit. These two members of the Godhead function together in unity. To be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus. The freedom within which leads to the freedom without comes by yielding to and obeying the Holy Spirit. As the presence of Jesus becomes evident in our lives we both reflect and contemplate the glory of the Lord. This ministry of God’s presence within us leads to great joy and freedom in his ministry through us to others. Are we en...

Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2   “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11 Relational conflict, and the case of Paul’s context in writing to Corinth following church discipline, provides an opportunity for Satan to gain a foothold in our lives. Unforgiveness is a common strategy of Satan to put disciples of Christ ‘offside’ with the Lord. There are many schemes of Satan to distract, discredit, and destroy God’s people. Few are as effective as unforgiveness. We can rationalize unforgiveness as being justified for any number of reasons; but we ourselves then become bound by it. To outwit someone, is to use deception to defeat them. As those who have been forgiven by Christ, we are called to forgive others, regardless of the offense. What schemes have the enemy plotte...