The purpose of First Samuel is to record the life of Samuel, Israel’s last judge, thru reign and decline of Saul, the first king; and the choice and preparation of David, Israel’s greatest king. Establishing a monarchy did not solve Israel’s problems. What God desires is the genuine devotion of each person’s mind and heart to Him. No government or set of laws can substitute for the rule of God in our heart & life.
On Monday, we learn from 1Sam 1 that Loving God Cares about You. On Tuesday, we learn from 1Sam 3 to Listen for the Lord Speaks. On Wed, we learn from 1Sam 7 that Gracious God Is Mighty Helper. On Thursday, we learn from 1Sam 10 that Spirit of God Empowers Us. On Friday, we learn from 1Sam 17 that God Delivers His People. On Sat, we learn from 1Sam 30 that Almighty God Is Our Strength.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Hear You: For the Loving God Cares for Us and we Listen when He Speaks. For Gracious God Is Our Mighty Helper and He Delivers His People. For Almighty God Is Our Strength and the Holy Spirit Empowers Us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
After months of running for his life, David concludes that leaving Israel entirely is the only way to escape Saul’s relentless pursuit. By convincing the Philistines he is a defector, David is given the city of Ziklag as his base of operations. But instead of aiding the enemy, David and his army methodically destroy Philistine strongholds. Meanwhile, Saul’s desperate attempts to counter the Philistine threat lead him to consult a medium. And instead of promise of victory, Saul heard frightening prediction of defeat and death, forecasts which came true the very next day as he & his sons die on the field of battle.
Lord, You are God of My Strength: It happened when David and his men came to Ziglag, on the third day that the Amalekites invaded the South burned it… and had taken captives… Then David and the people who were with him… wept until they had no more power to weep Now David was greatly distressed for the people spoke of stoning him… But David Strengthen himself in the Lord his God (1Sam 30:1-6). Then David said to Abiathar the priest… Bring the ephod to me… So David inquired of the Lord: Shall I pursue this troop?… And He answered him: Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail Recover all (v7-8). Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except 400 young man… who fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away(v17-18)
Lord, we learnt from David that we can strengthen ourselves in You. For You are our strong fortress and You are the God of our strength. In You Lord are power and might; and in You we find all that we need. Forgive us for doubting Yr strength and failing to access it in our life. As Your children we claim access to Your strength, rather than walk in our own limited power. Amen.
Lord, some challenges we face can make us feel insecure and doubtful. Our fears tell us that if we take a wrong step, we will fall into danger. Help us learn from David to inquire of You Lord; and remember of Your assurance to strengthen us. Grant us direction and strength to do what we are called to do. And put Lord a spring in our steps as we follow where You lead. Amen.
Lord, I need You for my strength is limited but Your strength is endless. Gird me with Your great strength for I am weak but You are strong. Strengthen my heart and resolve when life seems so challenging. Strengthen my mind to think big because I serve a big God. Strengthen my hands to do all that You have called me to do; for You are My Strength!! Amen.
The rejection of a king after the people’s heart (Saul) sets the stage for the choice of a king after God’s own heart (David).A young shepherd with a disposition more suited to the pasture than the palace, David possesses few claims to fame. He is a good marksman with a sling, an excellent lyre player and the youngest of eight sons from an insignificant family in Bethlehem. But his heart attitude is one of undivided devotion; a quality readily visible in the way David dispatches the Philistine giant Goliath and handles Saul’s jealous attacks.
Lord,we Remember Yr Deliverance: Saul said to David: You are not able to go against this Philistine; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth…(But) David said: The Lord Who Delivered me from the paw of the bear, He Will Deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Sam 17:33-37). Then David said to the Philistine: You came to me with a sword, with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to You in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel whom you have defiled… So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and… killed him (1 Sam 17:45-50) I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame (Psalm 34:4-5).
Father God, just as You taught David to trust You when he killed the bear and the lion, prepare me for the battles I will face one day. And when I reach those battles, remind me I had overcome in other situations and that as You were with me then, You will be with me again. Give me the courage of David to take up the armour of God, for with it I can overcome anything. Amen.
Lord, help us remember our past deliverance and know that You will continue to be our Deliverer. Help us have the same perspective of David where size of the giant is irrelevant, for Goliath was puny when compared with almighty God. Help us to be trained in the power of God, fixing our eyes on You God, then we’ll not fear the giant. Amen.
Lord, You tell us not to be afraid or discouraged. And You pledge Your presence everywhere we go. You promise in Ps 34:5 that when we seek You, You will give us joy; and not allow shame to touch us. Help us believe it, not just in our head, but deep within our soul. Let us exalt the Lord & seek Him and He’ll deliver & bless us. Amen.
From all outward appearances, Saul’s selection as the first king of Israel is an outstanding choice. His kingly demeanour & imposing presence make him a promising candidate fr a human perspective. But while man looks on the outward appearance, the Lord looks on the heart. Saul is anointed by Samuel, installed as king at Mizpah, proven in battle against the Ammonites and confirmed as king at Gilgal. But the fact remains (as pointed out by Samuel in his final address to the nation) that God not Saul should be king over Israel.
Holy Spirit, empower us O Lord: Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul on the cheek and said: I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the leader of His pple Israel (1Sam 10:1) When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets… and they will be prophesying. At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power & you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person (v5-6). When they came to the hill there, behold a group of prophets met Saul; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them (v10).
Lord Ruach Elohim, in You we put our hope and trust for You are the Spirit of the Living God. Because of You we can experience the fullness of God in our lives. Thank You Lord for imparting the wisdom of Your Word in our heart and as You direct our thoughts. Help us pray with words we don’t even know we need to pray. Amen.
Lord Holy Spirit, forgive me for the sins I harbour in my heart. Forgive me for envy and becoming ungrateful for all You’ve done for me. Forgive me Lord when I am jealous, comparing Your path for me with the favour You have given to others. Grant me the strength and help to keep me from mortal sins. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord Ruach Elohim, I ask You to be ever present in my spirit; and may Your Spirit lead and direct my own. I don’t want to wrestle with fear or doubt; instead let trust and rest from Your presence be evident in my life. I seek Your presence to be gracious and be effective. And help me to know You and love You as I ought to. In Jesus’ name.
Robert Robinson (1735-1790) had always been prone to wander. Apprenticed to a barber, he spent more time playing than cutting hair. And as a wild youth, he repented, became pastor & wrote some hymns Come Thou Fount was written in 1757, inspired by 1 Samuel 7. Later in life he wandered from the Lord and felt he could not return. But he met a lady in a coach who shared the hymn Come Thou Fount to him. He replied: I’m the unhappy man who wrote the hymn years ago and I would give a thousand worlds to enjoy the feelings I had then.” She responded by telling him: “Sir, the ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing.” And he repented.
Lord, we Call on You for Help: And Samuel said: Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you… And they fasted that day and said: We have sinned against the Lord (1Sam 7:5-6). (Samuel) pleaded with the Lord to help Israel & the Lord answered. Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived for battle. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder… and the Philistines were thrown into confusion that the Israelites defeated them (v9-10). Then Samuel took a stone… set it up and called its name Ebenezer, saying: Thus far the Lord has helped us. So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel (v12-13).
Lord, we realized You are more ready to hear the prayers of Your people when they are repentant. You listened to Your servants’ intercession for divine favour. We note Samuel’s good practice of erecting Ebenezer memorial as Thanksgiving, which reminds us of Your goodness and power that we can call on You for help. Amen.
Father, thanks for streams of mercy that call for songs of loudest praise. We yearn to be able to erect our Ebenezer like Samuel & testify of U. But Lord, we are human, and like Robertson we are prone to wander. Cause us to always remember the Lord has helped us and be grateful. So, here’s my heart; take and seal it; seal it for Your courts above. Amen.
Lord, Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wondering from the fold of God. He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood… Lord, I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I come. Let Thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above. Amen.
Israel has been ruled by judges for over 200 yrs. Eli and Samuel are the last of those judges. Samuel grows up in the tabernacle as a priest-in-training under Eli and is well qualified to serve Israel as both a priest and a judge. Although the nation had fallen away from God, it is clear that He is preparing Samuel to lead the nation back to right living.
Lord, we aspire a Listening Heart: One night, Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle. Suddenly the Lord called out: Samuel ! Yes? Samuel replied: What is it? He got up and ran to Eli: Here I am… Eli realised it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Sam If someone calls again, say: Yes Lord, Your servant is listening… And the Lord came and called as before: Samuel ! Samuel ! And Samuel replied: Yes, Your servant is listening (1Sam 3:1-10).
Lord, call me out of my slumber; speak for I want to hear what You have to say into my life. Make my heart come alive by the power of Your word of life. I don’t just listen to You in order to consider my options for I need Your direction and You are my master and Sovereign God. Speak Lord for Your servant is listening. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, listening and responding are vital in the relationship with You. Quieten my mind and my heart so that I can hear You clearly. Remove Lord any distractions that will keep me from being attentive and open to what Your Spirit is impressing on my heart. Make me receptive to Listen to You and willing to answer obediently when You call on me. Amen.
Lord, I need Your divine direction for my life; and I don’t just listen to You in order to consider my options. You know Lord my deepest needs and You also love and care for me. I purposed to commit that Your will is my direction; for You are good. I quieten my heart to hear what You want to say. Speak Lord Shepherd for Your sheep is listening. Amen.
The period of the judges is nearly at an end. One last judge remains: Samuel, a man of godly character and integrity who will guide the nation from judgeship to kinship. Samuel is the offspring of barren woman and the answer to fervent prayer. And he is consecrated to the Lord’s service from birth.
Lord, we cast our cares for You Care: Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow: O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed… give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life (1Sam 1:10-11). As she continued praying… Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk. But Hannah answered: No my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I’ve poured my soul before the Lord.. Then Eli answered: Go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition which you’ve asked of Him… So the woman went her way, ate, and was no longer sad (v12-18). I asked the Lord to give me this boy and He has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life (1 Sam 1:27-28).
Lord, Hannah struggling with heartbreak of infertility & taunting, poured out her heart to You God. After she did, she ate something, and her face was no longer sad. Here we see a woman who knew how to give her worries to God. Help us Lord learn from Hannah to cast our worries over to You; for after all You care for us. Amen.
Lord, Your Word says in 1Pet 4:7 to Cast all our anxieties on You God because You care for us. Yet sometimes we take back the worries we claim to give to You. Help us Lord learn from Hannah; help us to rest the full weight of our worry in Your capable hands. Help us know You care for us and thanks for the peace You give. Amen
Lord, although we’re not in position to bargain with the Almighty God, You may choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise to it. You God keep Your promises and will also expect us to keep ours. Help us Lord to be earnest by asking ourselves whether we will follow thru on the promise we make when God grants our request. Amen.
Gideon, Israel’s fifth judge, receives God’s call while hiding in winepress. Midian’s oppression is indeed severe and Gideon is God’s man to lead the people in throwing off that yoke of bondage – an assignment Gideon is not keen to accept! But once convinced of his calling thru two miraculous signs, Gideon leads a humble army of 300 men, equipped only with pitches, torches and trumpets, in a stunning victory against the mighty Midianite forces! Israel’s unconventional weapons and unusual battle plan leave no room for doubt: The victory is the Lord’s!
Lord, we Claim Your Presence: When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said: The LORD Is With you, mighty warrior. But sir, Gideon replied, if the LORD is with us,why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us?… But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hands of Midian. The LORD turned to him and said: Go in the Strength you Have and Save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?… I Will Be With you, and you will strike down all the Midianites (Jdgs 6:12-16). Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and bread with the staff, and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed all he had brought. Gideon then said: Sovereign Lord, I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face! Then the Lord said: Peace be with you; do not fear… So, Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord Is Peace Jehovah Shalom (Jdgs 6:21-24).
Lord, Gideon was well aware of his own inadequacy. But when he told the Lord that he wasn’t up to the job, the angel didn’t try to assure Gideon he was adequate. Instead of pumping up Gideon’s self confidence, he infused Gideon with the confidence from God. Lord, we agree that You are with us and that victory does not lie in our own adequacy or abilities, but in Your presence & power. Amen.
Lord, our perceptions tend not to judge You well as it should. Like Gideon, we tend to focus on what God hadn’t done; that He hadn’t delivered His people yet. We note Your reply to Gideon: to go with the strength he has. Lord, thank You for all that You have done; and help me now focus only on what You have said You will do. Amen and amen.
Lord Jehovah Shalom, I speak shalom into my body and health. I speak shalom into my mind, my thoughts and my heart. Let there be shalom in my plans, in my future and in my relationships. Lord, reveal to me the choices I need to make to enter into an even greater level of Your Peace. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
The purpose of the book of Judges is to show that God’s judgment against sin is certain, and His forgiveness of sin and restoration to relationship are just as certain for those who repent. And the purpose of the book of Ruth is to show how three people remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around them was collapsing
On Monday, we learn from Jdgs 1-3 that Compromises Results In Failure. On Tuesday, we learn from Jdgs 6 that the Lord of Peace Is With Us. On Wed, we learn from Jdgs 7 that God Loves to Do the Impossible. On Thursday, we learn fr Jdgs 17-21 to Be Weary of What Seem Right. On Fri, we learn from Ruth 1-2 that Faithful God Inspires Faithfulness. On Sat, we learn from Ruth 3/4 to Trust God During Tough Times.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Hear You: For God Loves to do the Impossible and the Lord of Peace Is With Us; For Compromises Result In Failure and Be Weary of What Seem Right; For faithful God Inspires faithfulness & to Trust God During Tough Times. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Set in the context of unrest during time of Judges & faced with famine, Ruth a young widow, leaves her native land to travel with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. There she gleans in the field of Boaz, who grows to love her and becomes her kinsman-redeemer. In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz become ancestors of Jesus. With twin themes of faithfulness and redemption, the book of Ruth shows God’s love to mankind.
Dear Lord, thank You for working through willing people like Ruth and fulfil Your perfect plan in Your time. Help us O Lord be willing players, taking steady steps of faith & thus lead lives of eternal significance. Help us Lord to learn from Ruth, Trusting You during Hard Times; Trusting in Your Plan for our lives; Trusting You by Waiting & Acting In Faith when opportunity comes. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, we’ll Wait Upon You and Act In Faith when opportunity comes: Naomi said to Ruth: Take a bath, put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, note where Boaz lies down; uncover his feet & lie down there… Around midnight Boaz woke up and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! Who are u? he demanded I am your servant Ruth, she replied. Spread the corner of yr covering over me for you are my family redeemer. Boaz said: I will do what is necessary for you are an honourable woman (Ruth 3:3-11) Lord, we note the advise of an experienced person can be invaluable & listening to them can change our life. And exercising faith sometimes bring us to the point, where not acting at all is worse than acting & risking.Amen.
Lord, we Trust You In Hard Times: Then Boaz said: On the day you buy the land from Naomi and Ruth, you acquire the dead man’s widow to maintain the name of the dead… At this, the kinsman-redeemer said: Then I cannot because I might endanger my own estate. Buy it yourself… Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people: Today you’re witnesses that I bought from Naomi and the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead (Ruth 4:1-12). Lord, we learn the story is never over until it’s over. For what looks hopeless can be turned around when You God is at work. So we trust in You in times of pain and whenever facing challenges. Amen.
Lord, we will Trust In Your Plan: Boaz married Ruth. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant and she gave birth to a son. The women of the town said to Naomi: Praise the Lord who has given u a family redeemer! May this child care for you in your old age. They named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David (Ruth 4:13-17). Lord, in Ruth we see You At Work behind the scene orchestrating events and working thro willing people towards Your perfect plan. Altho we cannot know the future, but we can Trust God who does. And we know all things will work together for good according to Your purpose (Rom 8:28) Amen.
