Bible Chapter: I Samuel 9 & 10
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
This is a very interesting story. It starts out with some missing donkeys. But, the real issue wasn’t the donkeys, but a way directed by God to bring Saul to the prophet Samuel. It was God’s response to the nation’s call for a king. God had chosen Saul to become the first king of Israel. The process of how God used the donkeys shows us how God uses ordinary situations to accomplish His purpose.
Samuel anointed Saul as the king. This separated him for the task of leadership as God provided him with the ability to do the task before him. It even says that God made Saul a different person, changing his heart. If Saul would have maintained this change, if he had not made foolish decisions as king, things would have turned out differently. God will do amazing things in and through people, but they must continue, they must live what God is doing in their hearts.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God will use anyone. Part of Saul’s original objections to the thought of becoming king was that he was the least of the least. He was the least of the smallest clan of the smallest tribe. He was a nobody. That never stops God from using a person. This speaks volumes to me and so many people. In the eyes of the world we really fit in that nobody class. We must remember that God looks at people and situations in a different way than the world and society sees things. God not only enables people, He can change them and give them a completely new place. Let God set the pace and follow Him.
3. How can I help someone?
Both Saul and his successor, David, started out in a position of being nothing. They were considered to be nothing. God used them both and we are reading about them thousands of years later. Don’t let the thought that you are considered little stop you. Let God take over and watch what HE will do.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 7 & 8
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
These chapters are describing a critical transition period in the nations’s history. Samuel was the last judge. He also was the first to fill the prophetic office. The people were complaining and demanding a king. This was not God’s timing for this to happen. But, because the people demanded it and were rebellious, God gave them what they wanted. This is a good illustration of not liking what you say you want. One of the things that jumps out to me is the sad statement that they wanted a king so they could be like everyone else. All the other nations had a king and they didn’t want to be different. This concept of conforming has dangers. A person must look at what they are conforming to and be sure it is a good standard to follow.
The Ark went to Kiriath Jearim and stayed there twenty years. The people mourned and sought after the Lord. Samuel told them they must return to the Lord with all their hearts and rid themselves of the foreign gods and symbols. They must commit to God and serve Him only. After making a sacrifice they saw God’s hand of deliverance and they routed the Philistines.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
God told Samuel that the people were not rejecting him as their judge, but rejecting God. They had been doing that all the time since they were delivered from Egypt. Accepting God and being submissive to Him or rejecting and demanding self rule - these questions define the spiritual battle. Learning to stay off the ups and downs of spiritual life is critical. Samuel saw the condition of the hearts of the people and it hurt him. The lesson for us is to learn what God requires and then submit. While that concept is simple, it is a challenge to apply because of the self-centered nature of people. But, it is always best to do things God’s way.
3. How can I help someone?
The people back then, and the people today, need to apply the words of wisdom that come from the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
It is amazing how well this works.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 5 & 6
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
After Israel made the mistake of not fully trusting God and bringing the Ark to the battlefield, it was captured by the Philistines. We see here a direct conflict between the spiritual forces and God won. The Philistines brought the Ark and put it in the temple of Dagon. The next day Dagon was bowing down to the Ark. After this happened twice they got the message. As I read this I was thinking that it was a pathetic situation that the Philistines had to pick up their god, and then the next day it was broken. A person has to pick up their god and put it back in place?? Their god didn’t have the ability to take care of itself? Why didn’t they recognize that they were worshiping an inferior manmade object and turn to the real God? They acknowledged previous victories the God of Israel had accomplished. They quickly recognized that the God of Israel was the powerful victor and returned the Ark. They made sacrifices to God in hopes of forgiveness as they sent the Ark back to Israel. But, they did not serve HIM.
The people in Beth Shemesh rejoiced at the return of the ark and celebrated by offering a sacrifice to God. Sadly, some broke God’s commands and looked in the Ark. They paid for that sin with their lives.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The question I already mentioned comes to mind as I think of the application of these chapters. Why is it that people will stick with a belief system that has so many flaws when they see something better? I see people today who have so many problems and yet stick with them rather than give all to God and go His way. It seems like the familiar, with all its flaws, is better than change. People hang on to what they have because they are comfortable and familiar with it, in spite of the pain it brings. Learning to understand and apply God’s ways as revealed in the Bible make life so much better. It shouldn’t be that difficult, but it often is. This is a good picture of the spiritual battle that rages.
3. How can I help someone?
Someone wrote a song that says, look and live, look to Jesus now and live. That is awesome advice. Look to, submit to Jesus, and find out what living is really all about.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 3 & 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Speak Lord, for your servant hears what you are saying. This is a well-known verse that sets a good example for all who believe in Jesus. No, I have never heard an audible voice from God. But, we can hear from the Lord and learn His direction. When Samuel responded and listened to God, his life of being used by God, becoming a prophet of the Lord, took off. God used Samuel in the prophetic office to speak to the nation and lead them in a way that pleased God. Another great verse says that the Lord was with Samuel as he grew up. Growing up with God’s involvement in your life is the best way. The whole nation recognized that Samuel was God’s prophet.
Israel needed the prophet for they were not living following God’s direction. They went to war against the Philistines. They brought the ark of the covenant out to the battle field and it was captured. This ark represented God’s presence and they thought it would guarantee victory. They were not living in obedience to the covenant relationship and they lost the battle. Living close to God and in obedience to Him is vital.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
In the battle with the Philistines, thirty thousand Israeli soldiers were killed. This included Hophni and Phinehas. This was a very sad day for the nation. When Eli heard the news he died as well. Phinehas’s wife was about to deliver a baby. She had a hard labor and gave birth to a boy. She called him Ichabod. This name means “no glory”. She realized that the glory of God had departed from the nation. This is a sad state for people who call themselves believers in God. We need God’s glory and presence in life. We will not have it if we are not faithful to Him. We must live in such a way that the presence and glory of God surrounds us. A good description for some people is that they have a roller coaster faith. It climbs and then quickly plunges. That should never be an accurate description for believers. We must be climbing in our walk with Jesus. Yes, we will have some battles and it won’t always be perfect, but we must never reach the “Ichabod” stage.
3. How can I help someone?
Keep your focus on Jesus. Listen, learn, apply. Do what the Bible says. Don’t think that a religious routine will keep you in God’s presence and protection. Real connection with God, not religious rituals, will make the difference.
Bible Chapter: I Samuel 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
This book is a transition in Israel’s history. It goes from the ruling of the judges to the time of having a king. The transition person is Samuel. We see the story of a women named Hannah who was sad because she had no children. One year she went to offer a sacrifice and prayed that God would give her a son. Eli, the priest, told her God would answer her prayer. As a result, Samuel was born. Hannah promised to give him to God to serve Him all his life. After she did this, Hannah had other children.
The birth of Samuel and what God did in his life is a positive story. A sad story also shows up in these chapters as we see that Eli failed to raise his sons, Hophni and Phinehas to be godly men. They served as priests and abused the office. They were wicked men who used the position as priest to be greedy and immoral. Eli told them to quit but did nothing about them. This brought God’s judgement on the family.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Nothing is too hard for God. That is something that I, and everyone, needs to remember. When there are strong desires, especially for something that is pleasing to the Lord, He has all power to answer our prayers. In her sorrow, we see that Hannah still worshiped God and prayed. She didn’t give up. She kept her promises to God. So, I must keep remembering that nothing is too hard for God. The miracles are not up to me.
I also must remember that God is serious about His commands. We see His judgement of Hophni and Phinehas as they not only sinned, but were very open about it. Their greed and promiscuity was an insult against God’s purity. They stole from God and abused women. I’m sure they had fun. I’m also sure they didn’t think God would do anything about it. In today’s world there are many people who do whatever they want and never think God will do anything about it. How wrong they are. This is an important lesson to remember. God’s righteous judgement will either bring rejoicing or sorrow.
3. How can I help someone?
We all need to remember that God is worthy to receive our worship. This is true even when it seems as if God is ignoring us. Hannah kept her focus on God even when she wasn’t see any answers to her prayers. I also want to remind people that God will judge those who insist on sinning and not making Jesus their Lord. The two options for eternity are both real. One is awesome. The other one is horrible. It is up to us.
Bible Chapter: Ruth 3 & 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
These two chapters are an example of the importance of understanding historical and cultural issues to understand the story. Naomi instructed Ruth to go to where Boaz was spending the night protecting his harvest. It was the custom of the day that she should lay at his feet to express her desire that he, as her husband’s next of kin, would marry her. Boaz responded positively. The story goes on to show how he followed the custom and the law the next day. Boaz became her kinsman-redeemer and they were married. The nearest relative had the right to marry her. There was one other person who was a closer relative, but he declined. That allowed Boaz to marry Ruth. The book ends by telling the genealogical line to King David. All the characters in this story acted ethically and morally. It brought a positive outcome. Who could have imagined that from her humble beginning in Moab that Ruth would end up the great-grandmother of King David? You never know what God will do.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The people in this book understood God’s plan and commands. They followed them through the ups and downs of life. They experienced great sorrow and loss. They could have given up and said God had abandoned them. Instead they kept following God’s way and eventually experienced the blessings of obedience. “Never give up” is a statement that has helped carry many through their trials and tribulations. That is good advice.
3. How can I help someone?
Keep your focus in life. Stick close to the directions God has revealed. Keep seeking Him. It can seem desirable to give up, but that’s not the solution. Eternity is just around the corner.
Bible Chapter: Ruth 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Having been reading and writing about the history of God’s chosen people so far, there have been many stories of exciting things God did. But, along with these are many sad stories of the things that the people did. More than once I have read of the sinful actions that were done and the consequences that would result. This leads us to the very short book of Ruth. It is a breath of fresh air. It is set in the time of the judges, at a time when there was famine. It starts out with some sad details of a family that had to go to a foreign land to survive the famine. Then three of the four died in the land. But, the story quickly turned around and it becomes an uplifting story. It is encouraging to see that there were people who were still serving God. It is uplifting to read the good things that happened because of faithfulness and loving sacrifice. This story shows how God will take people who appear to be having nothing but problems and turn things around. Naomi felt that God had abandoned her. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
This book shows God’s love for all people. Ruth was brought in to the kingly line of Israel. One could say that it was just coincidence that Ruth began to glean in Boaz’s fields. But, we see God’s direction. We see his heart to obey God in providing for people in need.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
It is encouraging to see God’s hand of blessing on these two women who had suffered so much. Ruth made some major sacrifices to provide for Naomi. No one would have faulted her for staying in her homeland. But her commitment to Naomi, her understanding of God and her commitment to Him show that she cared more for others than herself. When she went to the fields of Boaz to glean it says that she worked hard all day to gather food. Ruth was not lazy. She was caring. These are good lessons to apply in life.
3. How can I help someone?
Life has many challenging situations. Many of them are extremely difficult and it seems as if we won’t make it. It can seem as if God has abandoned us. History gives us the privilege of looking back and seeing the whole picture. We don’t see the whole picture as we are experiencing a battle. The good news is that God see it all from His perspective and that we can trust HIM.
