Recently I was reading the account of Saul being chosen as the first King of Israel. Samuel was commissioned by God to go and tell Saul of God’s selection on his life. I was struck by Saul’s initial response to this divine opportunity. In 1 Samuel 9:21, Saul said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”
The Old Testament historical book of 1 Samuel opens with the story of one woman’s remarkable encounter with God, Hannah, wife of Elkanah. The Bible says Hannah was miserable being provoked by Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, because Peninnah had many children but Hannah was barren. Although Hannah’s barrenness was a burdensome weight to carry she continued to go up to the temple with her husband year after year to honor God.
What motivates you? Hunger is a great motivator. The desire for pleasure or equally, the desire to avoid pain, is a powerful motivator. If you’ve ever played a contact sport then you understand how the desire to avoid pain can motivate you to adjust a lay up or duck to miss a fastball.
I’ve been reading in Luke 21 as of late which is Luke’s account of the end times. There is an interesting symmetry of thoughts in this chapter. It begins with the widow woman giving all her livelihood and being commended by Jesus for her total devotion and commitment. Then Jesus comments on how not one stone shall be left on another in this beautiful temple, suggesting that the religious establishment with all its embellishments will be in upheaval. With this statement firing His disciples’ interest they ask, “When will these things be?” Jesus weighs in with many statements not the least of which is His admonition that we “watch and pray” – not just pray, but watch and pray. This statement suggests there will be things to see. Prayer is not just devotional meditation but prayer is dynamic. Today, pray with expectancy to see circumstances altered, situations changed, lives radically ignited by the Holy Spirit who is ready do great things in and through you. I don’t know about you, but I feel invited by this statement. Are you ready to bring transformation to your life and city?
1 Samuel 30 describes what is arguably, the lowest point in David’s life. When he desired to go into battle with King Achish he was turned away and sent home at the request of the king’s advisors (1 Samuel 29). David did not understand and reasonably took this as rejection of his faithful service to the king of the Philistines. A bit confused and even hurt David and his men return to their camp, a city called Ziklag. Upon arrival they discovered the city burned and all their loved ones and belongings gone. There was nothing but signs of devastation to confirm their worst fears. Here David’s Mighty Men contemplated stoning him, their leader, out of the deep disappointment in their families missing, not knowing if they were dead or alive.
Luke 13:1-9 tells the story of a man who had a fig tree in his vineyard and for three years he came seeking fruit on it but found none. Disappointed, he instructed the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down. The keeper said, “let’s wait one more year and I will dig around it and fertilize it”. The keeper had hope, and therefore gave the fig tree a little more time to bear fruit. In a roundabout way he said, “let’s work a little longer, let’s sow into the barren tree some more and see if it will bear fruit.” Jesus is our keeper today. He has hope for those areas in our lives that are not producing or have not changed. Let God sow into you today because He is doing a new thing. You are worth it.
Reading in Luke 6:41-42 Jesus refers to our sight through the appeal He poses. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?” Much of Jesus’ teaching was about relationship and how His follower’s would relate to one another. I have found that our biggest relational tests often happen within the body of Christ. Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter by saying it is easier to see your brother’s rather small fault than to deal with the larger fault in your own life. The next verse explains that many times your issue impairs your ability to see accurately and help your brother. Hypocrisy is the result of too much attention on fixing the other guy.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)