Devotion
Obey God’s command
David Jacobs
One of my best friends asked me to do a favor for him for his girlfriend's birthday. I needed to help him make the cake and bring it to the party. I tried to ask him some questions about what type of cake to get, but he never got back to me, so I asked his girlfriend directly what type of cake she would like. When my friend heard about this, he was very mad at me, because now she knew that he did not get the cake himself. I was trying to make the situation better, but by disobeying my friend and taking liberty with my interpretation of his request, I made the situation worse.
Saul is described earlier in 1 Samuel as a very good and devout man (1 Samuel 3). Samuel also has a great impression of Saul, and is happy that Saul will inherit the throne. God gives Saul a command via Samuel to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul does destroy the weak members of the Amalekites, but he spares some others and takes the livestock back, partially to make a sacrifice and partially to use. He made his own judgment thinking that it was the best decision to be made, but in doing so, like I did with the cake, he directly disobeyed orders. Similar to my situation, the person giving the order was furious.
The relationship between my friend and I as well as between Saul, Samuel, and God, was changed as a result of our decisions. My friend felt that he could no longer trust me, and God felt the same way about Saul. It hurt Samuel that Saul made this foolish decision, and he was punished, losing his claim to the throne.
Prayer
Although our intentions may have been good, losing the trust of someone that we care about is worse much more than a tasty cake or some livestock. I regretted my decision, and we have only begun to understand how much Saul will grow to regret his.
Night Prayer
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Inspiration
God appoints leaders and allows them authority for a time. We do not always agree with our leaders' decisions or lifestyles, yet, we must respect their position and trust God's wisdom. His thoughts are higher than ours; He sees much farther into the future than we do, and we will never be able to understand His plan. We rely on our faith while enduring a leader who has conflicting beliefs. God is our shelter and ruler of all things.
Prayer
Dear God, We come to You in prayer for our leaders. Please guide them in decision-making; so their actions align with Your plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
All Have Sinned
Frances Taylor
We might try to deny it, but we have all sinned. And as Paul says, we fall short of the glory of God. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life in heaven. Even to think that it is in our power to do so, is considered presumption. Only someone divine can redeem us, and only someone who is human and has free will and can choose to do so. In other words, only Jesus who is both human and divine is able to do so. Our responsibility is to accept this gift with gratitude and humility. We show our gratitude by following Jesus and living lives based on love. We show our humility by recognizing that all we have is gift. We are expected to use our gifts for the good of others, to develop them to the best of our ability and to say thank you. No one deserves God's love or forgiveness more than another. No one deserves his or her giftedness more than another. In fact, Jesus tells us that we must care for the poor and the vulnerable. So if you or I have more...
Morning Prayer
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Inspiration
Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are no longer strangers or foreigners to the word of God. We have been accepted into God's family, being identified as His children. The Bible even takes it further to define us as "Born of God". That is how deep our identity in Christ runs – we are coheirs with Him. We no longer live in isolation, being subject to the wiles of the enemy. We are safe in the Father's arms, for the rest of the days of our lives and beyond.
Prayer
Dear God, I am thankful because I am a part of your family, now. Lord, I am grateful that the enemy can never do anything that will pluck me out of your hands. This salvation is eternal and always here to stay. Father, thank you for loving me so much, when I should have been ...