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.

Posted in discernment, faithfulness, leadership | Tagged , | 2 Comments

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

revival

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 7:3-17

Notice the three elements of this period of revival and peace in Israel:

  1. A man – Samuel, the circuit riding judge.  He stood for the LORD, and helped his people stay close to him.
  2. A movement – the Israelites forsook their idols and worshipped God alone.
  3. A monument – the Ebenezer stone reminded everyone that loyalty to the LORD was working, and it was worth it.

LORD, restore us as you did the Israelites under Samuel. Show us all the idols that are keeping us from serving you alone, and give us the courage and wisdom to forsake them.

Posted in discipleship, encouragement, idolatry | Tagged | 1 Comment

traders of the lost ark

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 5:1-7:2

The ark of the LORD’s testimony was in the possession of 5 Philistine lords for 7 months.  The people of the 5 cities suffered and became frightened.  Even after it was returned to Israel, the city it came to suffered because some unauthorized people looked at the ark.  God’s presence is not a light thing to be trifled with.

LORD, forgive us for taking you too casually – for mistaking your grace for something that it is not.  We seek to honor you.  We want your presence, and are willing to submit to your will.

Posted in reverence, submission | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Ichabod

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 4

Eli’s grandson was born on the day he and Phinehas died.  His mother also died that day, after she named him: Ichabod: the glory has departed.  In truth, the glory had departed from  Israel the moment its leaders decided that a little sin, a little selfishness – was OK for them to tolerate.  God cannot abide unrighteousness in the ranks of those who represent him.

LORD, protect us from ourselves.  Help us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and set ourselves apart for your holy service.  May this kind of dreadful day not come into our lives.

Posted in holiness, Holy Spirit, sanctification | Tagged | 1 Comment

chicken or egg?

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

1 Samuel 3

Judges had described this era as one in which every man did what was right in his own eyes.  This chapter describes it as one in which a word from the LORD was rare.  Which comes first?  That’s probably a chicken or egg question.  One thing is certain: if we don’t obey the word that we have (the Bible) we cannot expect to get more input from its source.  God has spoken to us more than three times (as he did young Samuel).  The question is, will we finally be wise enough to recognize his voice – and heed it.

LORD, here we are. Speak to us through your word.

Posted in dependence upon God, scriptures, will of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

our choices and God’s choice

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

106_0609 (2)1 Samuel 2:12-3:6

Hophni and Phinehas could have had the honor of installing the first king in Israel, but they brought shame and destruction upon their house instead.  The choices we make in ministry are important.  We either choose to be faithful and considerate or we get caught up in the pride and perks of public office.  Samuel was God’s choice because Samuel would choose God first.

LORD, help us to serve others instead of using our status to be served.

Posted in discipleship, hypocrisy, judgment | Tagged | 1 Comment

responding to grace

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

8th1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Hannah’s dedication of Samuel to the LORD shows us what prayer can do.  It can bring about a double glory to the LORD.  For the LORD gets glory when his servants pray to him, seeking his justice.  He answers prayers.  Then, the LORD can receive the double portion of glory when his servants dedicate what they have received from his hand back to him.  For Hannah, that meant “lending” Samuel to the LORD as long as he lived.  The LORD did not need Samuel, and he did not need Hannah.  Neither does he need what we can give him.  But he does get the glory when we dedicate what he has given us by grace.

LORD, give us the wisdom to not just enjoy your grace, but to return it again to you – to serve your purposes.

Posted in giving, glory, grace | Tagged , | 2 Comments

remembering an old shoe

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Ruth 4

“LORD, you have blessed me beyond measure.  I was a foreigner in your land and you showed me kindness and grace.  You brought me to my redeemer, and he gave me a son.  Who knows what you have planned for my Obed and his descendants?  I think about that old shoe – that sandal that a man took off and gave to Boaz, as a sign that he could marry me.  What a blessed day that was!  What a symbol of hope and faithfulness that old shoe turned out to be.  You did not abandon me. You have ben faithful.”  — Ruth

Posted in deliverance, faithfulness, grace | Tagged | 1 Comment