Monday, March 22, 2021

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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).

16 thoughts on “Monday, March 22, 2021”

  1. Some of today’s scripture, really spoke to me. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam 15:23). For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Heb 8:10-12). God is crying out for us to love him. He so needs us and we are so blessed to know and worship him. It is not about what God has done for us, giving us his Son, Jesus, to afford us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in the Kingdom. It is about the love we give back to Him through our own obedience that gives up our selfish human nature. Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that sinks into our bones. Oh, how He loves us so! His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord. Amen.

    “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 ESV

    Hope Darst – Peace Be Still with lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIpGiz3SfQ

    Reply ↓

  2. Today’s scripture really touched me as well. I see myself in in some of Saul’s selfish and self-absorbed attitude.
    It is humbling and oh I want to do and be what God wants me to be.

    May the smile of God’s approval be upon us all today.

    Reply ↓

  3. Amen to Beverlee’s comment to Irene.You are on my prayer list along with some others from this blog.
    ……Can’t Be Bought

    May happiness be yours to share
    And joy be your constant kin,
    So you have peace beyond compare
    As He cleanses the temple within
    And as the world sees your face,
    Will be seen what they have not,
    For this gift is an unearned grace
    From a Love that can’t be bought.
    GW(Bill) Marshall 24 Aug, 2015

    Reply ↓

  5. I prayed David’s Prayer for Today.
    Remembering all on this blog in prayer that our Heavenly Father
    would be merciful and bless each one according to His Will,
    in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

    Reply ↓

    • Amen Joyce I also prayed David’s prayer.
      Remembering those who need a special touch from the Lord today.
      Blessings to all Eleanor M.

      Reply ↓

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