trust in stressful times

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 18

Things change in life, and often seem like they are spiraling out of control.  Such was the case with David and his relationship with king Saul.  David could do nothing right in Saul’s eyes.  His friendship with Jonathan, his reputation as a warrior, his music, his marriage to Michal, his success against the Philistines – everything that David did just made Saul angrier.  Tension was increasing, but things were not really out of control.  God was in control.

LORD, you are LORD of our stressful lives.  May we stay tuned to your presence, and trust your plan.

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tested tools

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 17

David refused to use Saul’s armor and weapon, not because they didn’t fit, but because he had not tested them in combat.  He had already seen violent confrontation, and was described as a man of war in the previous chapter.  But he had to use the tools he was familiar with.  Often we think that if we could afford the latest technology that we could make a difference.  The LORD is more interested in what we are doing with what he has already provided us.  God used a rock at the hands of a skilled marksman with rocks.  He can use us.

LORD, give us the courage to do what you call us to do, and the wisdom to use our tested tools to do it.

Posted in David, servanthood, wisdom | Tagged | 2 Comments

identity

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 16

David was anointed – as it were – secretly, but already we see glimpses of the man of God that he is to become. His identity is not yet marked by his leadership skills, but by his talents as a musician, and the fact that he is .. “a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18 ESV).  This is not the little kid we see in the cartoons who has nothing but courage.  The elements that make him stand out are all there.  Samuel’s choice was correct. As a servant (shepherd, musician, armor bearer) David is learning to be the leader he will become.

LORD, give us the wisdom to learn to lead by serving. May we be identified by the fact that you are with us, and may all our talents be put to your service.

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leader lesson learned too late

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 15

If you can get past the graphic violence in this chapter, you will read a leader lesson that Saul learned.  The people were under his charge. He had the responsibility under God to lead them on God’s mission.  His fear of the people led him to compromise the mission.  The LORD wanted to obliterate the Amalekites from the land.  The people wanted to win the battle – and keep the best of the spoils.  Saul knew that everything had to be devoted to destruction.  He caved in under people pressure, and lost his right to rule.

LORD, make our Christian leaders strong enough not to give in to people pressure – even when those people are us.

Posted in leadership, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

loyalty

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 14

This chapter highlights the loyalty of the people in the early Israelite monarchy.

  1. Jonathan’s armor bearer tells him that he is with him, heart and soul (7).
  2. Some traitors returned to fight for Israel after Jonathan started the battle (21).
  3. Jonathan himself was willing to be killed out of loyalty to his father (43).
  4. The people stood up for Jonathan, and would not allow him to be killed because of Saul’s rash vow (45). 

LORD, make us people who are loyal to each other, and to you.

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waiting for Jesus

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 13

Saul’s mistake was in assuming that he had the authority to set aside God’s revealed will because time was of the essence.  He was losing the confidence of the people because Samuel delayed.  So, he decided to sidestep Samuel as anointed priest, and do the sacrifice himself.

Unbelievers are guilty of the same thing when they try to win God’s favor with their own good works, essentially side-stepping Jesus as God’s anointed Savior.  Saul was rejected as king for that blunder. 

LORD, we accept your solution to our sin problem – Jesus Christ.  We will wait for him to deliver us.

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into his hands

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 12

Sometimes you can’t go back and start over.  The Israelites understood that they had sinned in asking for a king.  Saul was in place, so now they would have to live with it.  God did not remove him from the throne the moment the people realized that his appointment had been a mistake.  Instead, God used Saul’s administration to bring about his glory – as a contrast to David’s.  Whenever we are at this point in our lives, we need to heed the word of the LORD now, not just lament our past decisions.

LORD, today we resolve to follow you.  The past and the future we put in your hands.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

the right man

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 10:17-11:15

Perhaps if some look closely at this account they will find early chinks in Saul’s armor, but I see no major fault in his actions.  He is the king that the people asked for.  In fact, I find him to be quite considerate and humble here – two traits that he loses as the years go by.  Perhaps one lesson we should learn from this is that a leader in the wrong position might end up losing character instead of gaining it.

LORD, send us your servants for our leaders.  May we not settle for people who just appear to qualify.

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adventures in failure

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 9:1-10:16

It was a singular journey in which Saul and his companion set out to find his father’s lost donkeys, and failed.  But along the way Saul discovered Samuel, and was treated to a number of miracles and surreal events that showed his God’s agenda was being accomplished.

When life throws us a curve ball, and things happen that we don’t expect – we should keep our cool.  He has a purpose for the accidents all around us.

LORD, help us to be flexible – to let you set the agenda.

Posted in dependence upon God, faith, plan of God, submission | Tagged , | 2 Comments

time for a king … or not

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 8

The people were tired of how God was working out his will among them.  They wanted a king, and they demanded that Samuel appoint one.  The LORD told Samuel to relent and give them a king, and also to warn them of the price they would have to pay.

When we think we are entitled to something, we resent the fact that we do not have it.  We become the judge, and the whole world – and God himself becomes the accused.  We rarely take into account what it would cost us if we had what we demanded.

LORD, forgive us for feeling entitled.  Protect us from putting what we feel we deserve ahead of what you demand of us.  You are on the throne, and we are not.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, kingdom of God, submission | Tagged | 1 Comment