Week 14 - Day 1

1 Samuel 27-31; Psalm 75

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1 Samuel 27-31 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 75 YouVersion(NIV)

1 Samuel ends on a pretty somber note.  The king the Israelites wanted so badly had failed them and had died, and the Philistines had taken over.

But hope was still alive in the one God had chosen to be their new king, David.  God wasn’t done with Israel even though they had once again rejected him and fallen so far away from what He had planned for them.  He wanted to restore them.  He wanted to dwell among them, as He had wanted to all along. 

I’m sure when Jesus died on the cross all hope seemed lost.  But once again, God wasn’t done!  When Jesus rose three days later, a new era began with Jesus as the King of Kings!  Once again, God wanted to restore His people, and not just the Israelites, but all people.  Jesus died for every nation, tribe, and tongue to forgive us for our sins so that He could live in and through us now and for eternity.   

Praise you God for Your love and forgiveness!  Praise you God for Your crazy wonderful plan!  Praise you because You live!  Our hope is in You!

Week 13 - Day 6

1 Samuel 24-26; Psalm 74

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 24-26 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 74 YouVersion(NIV)

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.”

I was quite impressed with Abigail from chapter 25, and honestly did not remember this story from reading the Bible before. 

David had been angered and was about to take revenge against a fool, Abigail’s husband Nabal (his name literally meant ‘fool’).  When Abigail had learned of what her husband had done, it says she “lost no time.”  She went to meet David and tried to set things right.  She reminds him that it would be a sin to take revenge in his own hands and to let God deal with Nabal. 

I’m assuming since Nabal was “such a wicked man that no one can talk to him,” that Abigail was probably taking the risk of him hurting her if he found out what she was doing.  She was brave; she was bold.  She knew what was right and wrong in the eyes of the Lord.  She spoke with David with humbleness and grace. 

David realized that through Abigail God had kept him from doing wrong. 

May we all be blessed with Abigails in our lives!  May we be ready and willing to be an Abigail to someone else as the Lord leads us.

Week 13 - Day 5

1 Samuel 21-23; Psalm 73

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 21-23 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 73 YouVersion (NIV)

Lately things have been very busy at our house and my daily schedule has been a little off.  I’ve found that when that happens I struggle a little more with being consistently in the Word.  As I was reading this morning I was more aware of some of the things I do to help me stay consistent as well as stay focused as I’m reading, so I thought I would share in case anyone else has the same problems I do.

First of all, consistency ~ the reason I’ve struggled this week is because I was not doing things the same as usual.  I normally do my Bible time at the same time every day, and when I don’t, it makes it harder to do.  My mom set the greatest example for this for me growing up.  No matter what was going on every morning when I would wake up she would be finishing up her quiet time with the Lord.  Even if we were leaving for vacation at 5 AM, she’d be up before everyone else taking time to read the Bible and pray.

A big thing I’ve gained from doing this blog is I don’t give myself an excuse to not read the Bible.  Skipping out is not an option.  I simply have to make it part of my day. 

And to help make sure I’m not just checking a box for the day, but truly seeking to hear from the Lord, I always pray before I start reading.  I ask for God to take away distractions and to show me what He wants me to hear for the day.  I ask Him to give me words for the blog that someone might need to read for that day.

Sometimes if I’m having a hard time focusing I will actually read it out loud.  I know that might sound silly, but that helps keep my mind from wondering.  (Or if I’m sleepy…helps keep me awake!)  After I read, I think back through what I’ve read and try to kind of summarize it in my head...as if I was going to have to tell someone else about it later.  I ask God to guide my thoughts as I’m thinking back through what I’ve read. 

Something that I do occasionally and probably should make a habit of doing every day is to pick a verse from that day’s reading to memorize, and try to repeat it to myself throughout the day. 

At times I will also listen to the Bible.  YouVersion as well as Gateway Bible (both free) have the audio option for the Bible.  I’m not really an auditory learner, so if I do this I usually read the same scripture I’ve listened to later because I feel like I miss things.  But there are many people out there who might gain more from listening to it rather than reading it.  

The point of all this is to encourage others to find what works for you to stay consistent and stay focused in the Word.  I want to stay thirsty for His voice and His guidance in my life all the time….for His Word to be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  And God is faithful!  If we seek Him He will show up! 

Week 13 - Day 4

1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 72

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 18-20 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 72 YouVersion(NIV)

David – a man after God’s own heart. 

In the scripture today we see one of the reasons David was known as a man after God’s own heart ~ his humbleness.  Even after numerous victories David refuses to become the king’s son-in-law two different times saying, “I’m only a poor man and little known.”  His victories did not lead to arrogance; his trust remained in the Lord.

I went back and read Psalm 59 again today because that was the psalm of David, written when Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him (1 Samuel 19).  

“Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O Lord.  I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.” 

I was once again drawn today to the life of Christ.  Like David, He also had men conspiring against him and wanting to kill him when he had done no wrong.  Instead of calling on the Father to punish the wicked, instead of using His great power to bring down these men harming him, instead of dealing out the punishment, He takes the punishment upon himself.  He gives up His own life praying to the Father for their forgiveness.       

Week 13 - Day 3

1 Samuel 16-17; Psalm 71

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 16-17 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 71 YouVersion(NIV)

I received my challenge from the Lord today in Psalm 71 verse 8:

“My mouth is filled with your praise; declaring your splendor all day long.”

Sometimes I feel like I spend a lot of my day complaining.  I let little things frustrate me and view things with a negative attitude.  Jesus says we are the light of the world.  How can I represent the light and love of Jesus when I’m letting the stuff I’m surrounded by cloud His glory and splendor?

How different would my day look if my mouth would be filled with praise instead of complaining?  If I keep my mind on Him and His splendor instead of my frustrations?  Would people see Him and His light shining through me?

Memorizing this little verse to repeat to myself throughout the day…. Anytime I start to have a negative thought…”My mouth is filled with your praise; declaring your splendor all day long.”  And I will praise Him…

Week 13 - Day 2

1 Samuel 14-15; Psalm 70

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 14-15 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 70 YouVersion(NIV)

“Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 

God says, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.”  It seems that Saul is becoming arrogant and doing things his own way instead of God’s way.  In chapter 14 Saul tells the priest to withdraw his hand, which basically meant he didn’t want to take the time to ask for God’s guidance and intervention.  He speaks of avenging himself on his enemies rather than caring about what God wants done.  Then in chapter 15 he sets up a monument in his own honor.

All these poor leadership qualities in Saul led me to think about a much different type of leader…Jesus.  Jesus Christ who was both God and man, who was the King of Kings, was also known as the Good Shepherd.  He cared for, served, and sacrificed for others.  He helped the helpless.  He washed the dirty feet of his followers who were his friends.  He was constantly taking time to go by himself and pray and seek the Father’s will. 

In Matthew 20:28 Jesus says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

So thankful for His example as I strive to be like Him.

Week 13 - Day 1

1 Samuel 11-13; Psalm 69

1 Samuel 11-13 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 69 YouVersion(NIV)

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.  I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.”

When I was reading the Psalm today, a memory came to mind from when I was young.  I’ve always been a little fearful of being in deep water.  Even though I know how to swim, the thought of not being able to touch the bottom and keep my head above water would always make me a little nervous. 

Once when I was at a water park I was in a wave pool, and all my friends were down at the deepest part, so I was too.  It was so crowded that day and I pretty much got stuck at the deep end, without an inner tube, surrounded by people on every side.  When the waves started up I was doing fine at first, but then the waves started going over my head.  The water was in my face constantly so that I couldn’t breathe.  I couldn’t get above the water long enough to get a breath, and I started to panic. 

This probably didn’t go on too long before the waves started to die down again, but it felt like forever!  There was truly a moment when I thought I could drown.  I was fine, of course, but very shook up.  I remember that feeling of fear and being alone (there were people all around, but no one was helping me).   

This psalm is written by David and is about circumstances in his life that caused him to feel like he was drowning in deep waters.  This is also considered one of the Messianic psalms because many verses are applied to Jesus’ life as well. 

This reminded me today, first of all, that there is nothing we experience that Jesus doesn’t understand.  He came to earth in the flesh and experienced temptation, heartbreak, and suffering.  It also reminded me that no matter what the “deep waters” are in our lives, there is nothing He can’t rescue us from!

Week 12 - Day 6

1 Samuel 8-10; Psalm 68

*Click here to read these passages:

1 Samuel 8-10 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 68 YouVersion(NIV)

“Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Will the Israelites ever learn?  They weren’t supposed to be like all the other nations; they had something so much better. 

Did they not realize that God, when they looked to Him as King, always went before them and fought their battles?  Why do they keep rejecting Him?

I wonder - Does God think these things about us today?  About me? 

When will we learn that He is the one who goes before us and fights our battles if only we follow Him?  When will we learn that we’re not supposed to be like the world?  Why would we look anywhere but to the King of Kings? 

Week 12 - Day 5

1 Samuel 4-7; Psalm 67

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1 Samuel 4-7 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 67 YouVersion(NIV)

Within these chapters there are two times the Israelites and Philistines go up against one another.  The first time in chapter 4 Israel is being defeated, so they decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant into their camp hoping that would change their fate.  The problem was they didn’t believe in the presence and power of God who the ark was a symbol for.  They were not living according to the commandments of God within the ark.  It was just a religious symbol they hoped would save them; to them it did not represent a relationship with God as He had intended it to.  And they were defeated.  Israel lost 30,000 foot soldiers.

Then in chapter 7 Samuel leads the people to return to the Lord wholeheartedly, to get rid of their foreign gods, and commit to serve the Lord alone.  They fasted and confessed their sins against the Lord.  They meant it.  So when Samuel cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, God answered him.  God gave Israel the victory and then peace in the land. 

Once again, it is all about the heart…about relationship.  God wanted their whole hearts.  He would not allow them to use Him as a means to get what they wanted.  When they truly trusted Him, then He provided.    

Week 12 - Day 4

1 Samuel 1-3

*Click here to read this passage:

1 Samuel 1-3 YouVersion(NIV)

“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.”

“….and the Lord remembered her.”

I have known several people who have struggled with infertility and the intense heartbreak that can be involved.  I have also known several people whose prayers have been answered either by finally conceiving a child after years of trying or through the blessing of adopting a child.  Hannah is one of several examples in the Bible where God blesses a barren woman with a baby.  After years and years of sorrow and probably feeling worthless (since that was viewed as the main role for a woman during that time and culture), God gives Hannah a son.

Hannah had promised to devote her son to the Lord, and she does.  Samuel – “Because I asked the Lord for him.”  ‘Samuel’ sounds like the Hebrew for heard.  God heard Hannah’s cry; then later God’s voice is heard by Samuel.  It says that in those days the word of the Lord was rare and that there were not many visions.  God chose Hannah’s son to be a vessel for His voice and a leader for His people.  God also continues to be gracious to Hannah and gives her three more sons and two daughters.

I think Hannah really gets straight to the heart of God in her prayer in chapter 2, verse 8 when she says:

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” 

From another translation it is worded like this:

“He puts poor people on their feet again;

He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,

Restoring dignity and respect to their lives – a place in the sun” [The Message].  

Week 12 - Day 3

Ruth 1-4; Psalm 66

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Ruth 1-4 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 66 YouVersion(NIV)

What a refreshing change from the book of Judges!  The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the judges, which we know was a very dark time.  But here is a story full of light and noble character, and love ~ The love between Naomi and Ruth, the love between Ruth and Boaz, the love of Jesus that is foreshadowed in this story. 

I’m keeping my reflection brief today in hopes that you’ll read through some wonderful reflections on the book of Ruth from a wonderful woman of God who has a great love for God’s word, Karen Kizlin.  She explains how “Boaz’ redeeming love shows us the love of Jesus.”  You can find them here: Exploring the Book of Ruth with Karen.

Since we are reading through the Bible in a year, the book of Ruth is easily read in one day, but I encourage you to take time to think about the deeper meanings found in this little gem of a book.

Week 12 - Day 2

Judges 19-21; Psalm 65

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 19-21 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 65 YouVersion(NIV)

I was reminded today as I was thinking about how far the Israelites had come from God, about the song God gave Moses to teach the Israelites just before they reached the promised land. 

“And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants.  I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” (Deuteronomy 31:21)

The last line of the book of Judges reads, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”  God had created a system for the Israelites to make them into a community, a unified people.  He gave them all kinds of specific directions on how to live so they would be set apart from the rest of the world.  He told them of all the ways He would bless them if they would just trust in Him.  Instead they decided they didn’t need or want God’s plan; they just did as they saw fit. 

I have some mixed emotions about all this….

First of all, it breaks my heart that they would choose their own way and miss out on all the ways God was going to bless them.   But it also makes me angry that they would turn their back on the God that delivered them, who gave them hope and purpose.  It also reminds me of the amazing grace and love of God that He did deliver them anyway, knowing they would ultimately reject him.  It has me in tears thinking about Jesus dying for us knowing that so many would still choose to just do as they see fit instead of accepting the gift of grace, forgiveness, hope, and purpose. 

Week 12 - Day 1

Judges 16-18; Psalm 64

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Judges 16-18 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 64 YouVersion(NIV)

Samson’s story is one that is filled with amazing works of God, such as an anointing from birth to be set apart for God, strength beyond what any human could ever have, and a miraculous provision of water when he needed it; but it is also a story filled with a sense of “what if?” 

God gave such great gifts to Samson and did work through him to bring down the Philistines, but Samson never had God’s motivation.  He put his lust for women above the calling of the Lord, which in the end caused him a lot of despair.  His selfish desires and personal revenge were his motivations for going against the Philistines, and even resulted in his own death.

I can’t help but wonder, what if he had sought the Lord and resisted the temptations of his flesh?  What difference could he have made in the world of the Israelites if he had set his heart on God’s?

Week 11 - Day 6

Judges 12-15; Psalm 63

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 12-15 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 63 YouVersion(NIV)

So far in Judges all the leaders God chose were adults when God called them and raised them up as leaders, until Samson.  Samson is the first to be announced by an angel before he was born.

The part of today’s reading that stood out to me the most was actually about Samson’s parents.  First of all Samson’s mother, the wife of Manoah, had to take on part of the calling by living out the Nazirite vow while Samson was in the womb because the angel said he would be a Nazirite of God from birth until death.  (Read Numbers 6 to review what the Nazirite vow was all about.)  In order for God’s plan to be fulfilled she had her responsibility and sacrifice before Samson was even born.

Her husband Manoah’s response to the news is what I really loved.  He didn’t doubt God, but he immediately prayed, “O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us {the angel who spoke to his wife} come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”

Now, people can argue whether or not Samson’s parents did a good job in raising him.  The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of details on that part.  It is clear that Samson makes some bad choices, and I’ll probably spend some time tomorrow reflecting about that.  But the point today is that Manoah recognized he needed divine intervention to raise a child chosen by God for a special purpose. 

This reminded me that my husband and I as parents need to beg the Lord to teach us how to raise up our children to become the men and women God created them to be.  We need God’s help and guidance to see the strengths He’s given our children and how to develop them.  I want to see them through His eyes and see how to encourage them and build them up to be great leaders and servants of Jesus Christ.  I want to be able to see the areas where they struggle and know how to teach them to overcome those things.  I want to know what’s in their hearts…what breaks their hearts…what makes their hearts sing.

    

Week 11 - Day 5

Judges 9-11; Psalm 62

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 9-11 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 62 YouVersion(NIV)

There was a part of Psalm 61 from yesterday’s reading that keeps coming back to my mind… “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Then in today’s Psalm I read, “He alone is my rock and my salvation,” and “He is my mighty rock, my refuge.”

I’ve found that whenever I start feeling stressed out, easily frustrated or discouraged, or overwhelmed, I soon figure out that somewhere along the way without realizing it, I’ve started trying to shoulder everything and control everything on my own again.

David says in Psalm 62, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”  Or from another translation, “God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to You; unfailing love, O Lord, is Yours.” {New Living Translation}

I would do well to remember those two things…He is strong…He is love.  

He alone is my rock, my salvation, my refuge, my rest.  Isn’t that the answer to whatever I face each day?….Go to the rock that is higher than I. 

Week 11 - Day 4

Judges 6-8; Psalm 61

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 6-8 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 61 YouVersion(NIV)

God is consistently throughout the Bible choosing unlikely outcasts as leaders.  I find this quite encouraging since I’ve never really considered myself a leader and in fact have felt in general pretty incapable.

God knew Gideon’s potential; He transformed him from a fearful timid man who was basically hiding in a cave to a courageous and strong leader.  I love how patient and encouraging God is with Gideon.  Three different times Gideon asked for signs to prove God’s presence, and God showed up each time.  God wanted him to know that He was with him.

I have to include a note from the commentary in my Bible [The Discovery Study Bible] because I think it is so good:  “Some suggest that Christians ‘put out the fleece’ by asking God for a sign of his will.  But Gideon already knew God’s will, and he had shown his willingness to do what God said despite his fears (6:25-27).  The sign that Gideon asked for, and was given, was God’s gracious reassurance, not a way of determining what God wanted him to do.” 

Then God shows His graciousness and encouragement to Gideon again when He tells him to go down against the camp.  He says, “If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying.”  When Gideon went down he heard them talking about a dream about being conquered by the sword of Gideon.  Confirmation!

I can imagine Gideon praying the same words from Psalm 61, “I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”  Sometimes we have to come out from hiding in the cave and experience a little from the battlefield in order to experience the shelter of God’s wings.  

Week 11 - Day 3

Judges 4-5; Psalm 60

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 4-5 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 60 YouVersion(NIV)

“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.” (Judges 2:18)

There is a pattern in the book of Judges:

-The Israelites do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

-God lifts His shield from them and allows foreign enemies to overcome them.

-They cry out to the Lord.

-God raises up a leader.

-The enemy is defeated.

-The land experiences peace.

This happens over and over, and unfortunately the people of Israel still do not learn from their mistakes.  After they’ve experienced peace for a while, they turn away from God all over again.

God is a God of justice, but also a God of grace.  This is sometimes hard to understand, but when you really think about it, truly wonderful.

Week 11 - Day 2

Judges 1-3; Psalm 59

*Click here to read these passages:

Judges 1-3 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 59 YouVersion(NIV)

“Do not let them live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.” (Exodus 23:33)

Things were going well for a while, but after Joshua died, the Israelites failed to do all God had told them to.  They did not drive out all the Canaanites, who we know from scripture were evil people who worshiped idols through sex with sacred prostitutes and even sacrificing their own children.  God had made it clear that part of his plan in blessing the Israelites was also punishing these nations.  Many remained living among the Israelites.  Instead of driving them out completely, the Israelites forced them into labor.

I can imagine the excuses the Israelites made for doing this, excusing it away as if it was no big deal.  And maybe at first it wasn’t, but they did end up turning their backs on God and worshiping the idols of the people they were living with.

God knew what would be a temptation for them and what would cause them trouble, just as He knows what those are for each of us.  It is easy to make excuses for not doing something God’s way and coming up with reasons why it is no big deal.  But those “little” things that don’t seem like a big deal, can pull us away from God. 

Week 11 - Day 1

Joshua 23-24; Psalm 58

*Click here to read these passages:

Joshua 23-24 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 58 YouVersion(NIV)

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

The Israelites knew that every promise from God had been fulfilled; not one had failed. (23:14).  But they still had the choice of whether or not they were going to continue to serve the Lord.  There were things in their history as well as things they were surrounded by that could pull them away from the obvious choice they should make to follow the God who delivered them.  Joshua knew that and urged them to hold fast (stick firmly) to God.  If they were going to choose to follow God, they had to do it wholeheartedly. 

It is the same today.  We can choose to follow God or one of the many other things of this world we are surrounded by.  It is a choice to make one way or another.  “When you have a choice to make and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.” – William James. 

Day after day my actions will reflect that choice….as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.  We will hold fast to Him and His way.

Week 10 - Day 6

Joshua 20-22; Psalm 57

*Click here to read these passages:

Joshua 20-22 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 57 YouVersion(NIV)

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

I broke this verse apart and did a little self-evaluating today.  I’m taking a moment to think about each part of the verse and what it meant for the Israelites, what it means for me, and if I’m doing it or not.

~To love the Lord your God ~ (Do I love Him first?  More than anything?  So that everything else in my life is centered around that?)

~To walk in all His ways ~ (Not my ways…but His.  As I learn more about God and His ways, am I becoming more like Him?)

~To obey His commands ~ (Do I know His word and His commands for me?  Do I follow them and without being ashamed that I follow them? Am I listening for His voice every day and obeying what I hear?)

~To hold fast to Him ~ (Hold fast – “stick to firmly.”  I have to stay close to Him…to stay in His presence…so that nothing distracts or gets in the way from hearing His voice or following His lead.)

~To serve Him with all your heart and all your soul ~(With everything….every.thing.)