Friday, March 22, 2019

Posted on by

BE QUIET

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Bedouins set up their transient homes wherever it is best for their livestock. Here they are located just below Mount Nebo. The promised land is seen in the distance.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15:22

So Samuel said:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams…”

Saul’s lame excuses for disobedience brought a sharp “Be Quiet” from the Prophet. Samuel was harsh with the King, and at the same time the last verse of our reading tells us that he mourned for Saul. Saul showed such promise. God gave him a new heart, but Saul’s will was not fully yielded to God’s will. Saul’s biggest problem was himself. He wanted to build a kingdom for himself. It was all about him and not about God’s continued sovereignty over Israel. When Saul disobeyed, he tried to blame it on others and to justify himself. Then he immediately followed up by building a monument to himself. Upon hearing God’s verdict on his actions, Saul’s biggest concern was his reputation. He begged Samuel to make him look good. Saul’s successor, David, sinned also, but the difference was that David did not offer any excuses or try to justify himself. He repented with godly sorrow, and took all the blame. Honest repentance brings God’s forgiveness. God will not tolerate a self-centred focus on the part of His leaders. God is a God of mercy, but the time comes when justice, as in the case of the Amalekites, must be meted out. These are harsh judgments, but so was the flood of Noah and, most of all, the judgment of God which was borne by Jesus as He took our place in suffering and death. God Himself, in the Person of His Son, took the full force of the penalty for the disobedience of all humanity. Justice was satisfied, and we who believe in Jesus are the beneficiaries.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Lord God, You have taken the judgment I deserved. Dear Lord Jesus, You suffered far more than King Agag and King Saul did for the evil of their sin. All I can do now is cry out to You, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” I say this with my whole heart, mind and soul. You’ve said, Lord Jesus, that I am now made right in the sight of God. I have no excuses for my sin, and like King David, I have found forgiveness. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was compelled just now to meditate on God’s mercy. In the Virgin Mary’s prophetic utterance, she spoke these words: “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:49-50). Later in his Gospel, Luke records the prayer of repentance and cry for mercy which God hears and answers with His assuring “Yes” (Luke 18:9-14). What comfort! I’ve also just read Hebrews 8, the entire chapter is my New Testament reading for today.

All who are in leadership, particularly Christian leadership, must be warned that God will never take excuses for sin. He only receives sorrow for sin…that’s being sorry enough to quit sinning…and that’s called repentance! Christian leaders have built memorials to themselves, as Saul did. I fall on my face and cry out for mercy. I take most seriously the Words of our key verse, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Once again I pray the sinners’ prayer, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” I remember clearly the words of John, who included himself, writing, “If we say that we have no sin [present tense] we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). What assurance!

Yours for constant cleansing from all sin (1 John 1:1 – 2:6),

David

The Memorial Church of Moses on Mount Nebo is currently getting a new structure built over the aging one. It was from here that Moses viewed the Promised Land. God forgave Moses for his sin, but there were still consequences of his sin (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).

12 thoughts on “Friday, March 22, 2019”

  1. Yes, to our constant cleansing from all sin. What grabs me about this morning’s scripture is in the final sentence: “Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.” To witness the regret or maybe a better word is grieving of the Lord (for Samuel) in scripture is rather striking. I could not help but think this led to God sending His Son, part of Himself, to earth, to die for us, so we would gain the gift of the forgiveness and love He taught us. Do you see this evidence of God’s personal emotion and purpose represented in today’s old testament scripture? Any thoughts, fellow saints in the Lord?

    “We cannot kindle when we will
    The fire which in the heart resides,
    The spirit bloweth and is still,
    In mystery our soul abides;
    But tasks in hours of insight willed
    Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.”
    Oswald Chambers

    Be Thou My Vision by 4Him -Lyrics (Celtic Version)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIMhshpf0Y4

    Reply ↓

    • I see your reasoning,Beverlee but God knew human kings would be too imperfect to reign as only Jesus could.An imperfect world could not even accept the true King.Perhaps God is pointing that out for Samuel to record for a lesson to us to show obedience has to be 100%?? (I don’t mind being proven wrong,lol.Just my thoughts.God bless)

      Reply ↓

    • Can’t even imagine trying to figure God’s thoughts out dear Beverlee. I was just wondering about the two Sauls in the bible. Guess there’s no relation:-)!
      This has nothing to do with our study today but here goes:
      Israel and Quebec have approx. the same population. Never realized Israel was so small (but certainly not insignificant) in the grand scheme of things.
      Happy belated birthday Irene:-)
      May God continue to bless you Beverlee and all saints.

      Reply ↓

  2. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY (yesterday) Irene. Hope you had a wonderful day and God bless you this week-end and year ahead, dear sister-in-Christ!

    May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
    Psalm 20:4 ESV

    Reply ↓

  3. A good and thought provoking message today. Please pray for Beatrice, a pastor’s wife, who has been found with some concerning health issues (spots on her liver & a tumor on her neck). They are wonderful, long time ministers to a Spanish speaking church. Thank you.

    Reply ↓

    • Lord we ask for a blessing upon Doreen who cares for others deeply; we pray Lord that You know the whole situation with the Pastor and his wife Beatrice; You know EXACTLY what is in her body and we ask dear Lord in Jesus Name that You would remove all the infected spots on her liver and on her neck, we rebuke these spots; they are nothing; they are gone;
      We thank you Lord for hearing our prayers and for answering our prayers according to Your Will be done in our lives. Thank you Lord for this day; in Jesus Name we Pray amen

      Reply ↓

  4. ‘Our David’ did not build any monuments to himself (here).Obedience is better than glory and his works still speak for him.
    What Do We Take

    What do we take when we go
    And leave this nursery here below,
    Do we take a bank account;
    To what would that amount?

    We take happiness and love,
    For that is all there is above
    There will be no pain or hate
    When we’re through Heaven’s gate.

    There’ll be not one single tear,
    Nor any danger or evil to fear,
    And envy’s lies will not be near,
    Nor sorrows cries will we hear.

    All our hopes and dreams stay
    With the things we give away,
    For once we leave this place
    We’ll gaze upon His holy face.
    G W (Bill) Marshall /17.10.2011

    Reply ↓

  5. We thank you Lord for healing Carol, another Pastor’s wife! she had a bug in her stomach from childhood; from drinking well water; had this for years finally found a medication that completely removed this bug and Carol is feeling TERRIFIC We praise and thank the Lord for this wonderful miracle, in Jesus Name we pray amen

    Reply ↓

  6. Saints, I will be away for two weeks; will do my best to post in the morning before I leave. God’s continued blessings on each of you. May His Christ light shine upon you.

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV

    Peace I Leave With You
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYvw5pXVse0

    Reply ↓

  7. We’ll miss you Beverlee!

    Thanks Beverlee and Lynda for the birthday blessing!

    The Lord is the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear? whom shall I fear?
    Psalm 27:1a.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.