Saul

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1 Chronicles 13:3 Bringing Back God’s Presence

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul. 1 Chronicles 13:3

In today’s society most people seek for information on just about anything by using ‘Google’. There is nearly no information that may be needed that cannot be found through this internet platform.

If it was to be taken away, most people would feel lost when trying to find out about anything that they feel they need to know about. Work would be done to bring it back.

During the time of King Saul, the ark of the covenant of God had been taken by the Philistines. David told the people that they needed to bring it back since they had not asked of it during the reign of Saul.

The ark of the covenant of God was used by the Israelites as a place for God’s presence to be. The high priests would go before it to seek God’s direction for the nation. At some point in history, it was taken and most likely destroyed, but either way it has never been found again.

Instead of going before an ark, today believers can have God’s Holy Spirit in them, and they can speak directly to God no matter where they are.

Although believers can have God’s presence with them at all times, many do not take the time to inquire of God. They make choices on their own and seek advice from ‘Google’ and other people. Many in the church are treating God like Saul treated the ark of the covenant, having Him, but not going to Him for directions.

Believers need to seek out God’s advice and heed it each day. They have become the carrier of God’s presence and Holy Spirit that is with them at all times.

On a regular basis you will need some advice and direction in your life. Instead of running to the things of the world and seeking the world’s advice, seek God’s advice. As a believer, God is now living in you and with you wherever you will go. He will never leave you, nor forsake you and is willing to guide you throughout your life.

Do not live your life like Saul but bring back God’s presence into your life as David did. Be the carrier of God’s presence as God has called you to be.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s presence in your life; that you will seek all of your needed directions from God; that you will trust God’s directions for your life; and that the world will see you know and trust God with your life.

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1 Chronicles 10:13-14 Will God Put You To Death?

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Being faithful is something that the world says is necessary for others, but very few apply it to their own lives. People will come up with excuses as to why they could not do what was expected. Then many will get angry if there is a harsh negative consequence to their poor choice.

During a battle God had Saul killed because he had been unfaithful to God in many ways and refused to inquire Him. His kingdom was then given to David.

The world will quickly seek guidance from others and even from psychic workers. There is no highest authority that they feel is in control and needs to be consulted first.

Believers, on the other hand, know that God is to be the ultimate authority in every situation. God and His word is the first place that a believer should go to for guidance in every area of one’s life.

Yet, just like Saul, many believers follow the ways of the world and seek guidance from the world, rather than from God.

God is patient with believers, but there are often consequences to rejecting God and turning to the world. In His ability to control everything God can break things down, cause sickness or nearly anything else to get the attention of a wayward believer.

Ultimately for the believer who does not really inquire of God or seek Him or follow Him, it may mean eternal death. Believers must not be believers in word only, but in heart and action.

When you are faced with a difficult situation, what is the first thing or first person you turn to for help or guidance? As a believer it should be God and His word.

Do not allow yourself to be misled and turn to the world first. There will be consequences for you claiming to believe in Jesus but still seeking the world.

God has given you His Holy Spirit to give you strength and direction in how to live your life as a faithful servant. Seek God and be faithful with what He says so that He will not have to take your life due to unfaithfulness.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be faithful to seek and serve God with all of your life; that God will see you as a faithful believer; and that God will be able to reward you for your faithfulness to Him.

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2 Samuel 1:14 Harming Other Believers

David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 2 Samuel 1:14

The world is out to destroy believers in any way possible. There is no fear of God or that a believer is God’s anointed person put on this earth for a purpose. While most will not directly kill a believer, they will try to destroy his faith, reputation, witness, courage and more.

Every person in the world is an enemy to God and to His followers until they become a believer also.

An Amalekite had confessed to killing King Saul. David asked him why he was not afraid of lifting a hand against God’s anointed one and then had him killed.

It is expected that the world is out to destroy believers, however, there are many believers that are willing to destroy another believer–anointed one of God. In very much the same way as the world, some will work to cut down leaders in the church or other believers who are standing strong and true for God’s word and His ways.

Inside the church one can see and hear many who speak horribly about their pastor or other church leaders. Rather than lifting them up in prayer and building others up, some will cut down in the vision to destroy and remove. There should be a holy fear at striking another believer, God’s anointed, down.

Every believer is anointed by God to do a work in this world and sometimes in the church. God’s Holy Spirit is upon them to do great things. This is a work in process, and all will make some mistakes along the way. When one makes a mistake and stumbles, other believers must not destroy them, but restore them and build them up in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You will have other believers who make mistakes and may even begin to fall away from God’s leading. The temptation is to follow the ways of the world and destroy or remove that person without God’s leading. Know that God had called that person and anointed that person at one point and desires restoration rather than destruction.

Seek God’s direction on how to work with that person to build him back up in the Lord Jesus Christ rather than destroying him. Have a fear of God for harming God’s anointed one and restore just as Christ restores you when you fail or fall.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s ways of dealing with failing believers; that you will seek God’s strength to build up others; and that you will treat others in the same way of love as God deals with you.

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1 Samuel 28:18 The Results Of Disobedience

Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 1 Samuel 28:18

No one who is a leader likes someone who is disobedient. Every leader understands that those being led must be obedient. Usually there are consequences to not obeying, sometimes very severe consequences and other times not very severe.

Often the consequences are set up as punishment or correction to prevent disobedience from occurring again. Many people get upset when negative consequences occur due to disobedience, feeling that they should be able to do what they desire.

God was bringing the Philistines against Saul for disobedience. Saul went to Samuel for help but was told that because he did not obey God this is what God was doing to him.

Even though the world understands consequences to disobedience, many in the church feel that God will not do anything if they disobey Him. Many in the church will refuse to repent and turn away from certain sins. They will not take time to be His witness. They hold on to bitterness and seek vengeance.

While living in sin, many will wonder why God is against them and negative things are occurring on a regular basis. Others will wonder why God is silent when they seek Him at the same time they are disobeying His commands to them. Often they hide behind grace, believing that their disobedience will be overlooked.

God’s holiness demands obedience. Jesus did not die for the sins of the believer, so that the believer could continue to live in sin and disobey God. In His great love God will deal with disobedience harshly in this life so that the person may continue to gain eternal life in the end. The ultimate punishment for disobedience is death for eternity in hell.

As a believer God has given you all the general commands He has given every believer and He has also given you some direct commands specific to you alone. You are given a choice as to whether you will obey those commands or not. There will be consequences to which way you choose.

Obeying God will bring about His hand of favor and direction. Disobeying will result in punishment and losing His hand of favor.

Make the choice today to obey God in every area of your life and every command God gives you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the commands God is giving you; that you will obey all that God commands you to do; and that God will not have to punish you for any disobedience.

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1 Samuel 26:23 God Rewards Righteousness and Faithfulness

The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. 1 Samuel 26:23

It is easy for most people to take advantage of an opportunity to harm their enemy when the opportunity arises. There is very little concern as to who the person is or if doing so is the right thing to do.

Choosing the right thing to do is often harder than doing what feels best or what one has been taught to do in a situation.

David had an opportunity to kill Saul but did not because he would not harm the Lord’s anointed. He knew that God would reward his righteousness and faithfulness.

While the world focuses on doing what feels good in the moment, believers are to do what is right. The believer must focus on being faithful to obeying God and all of His commands.

Making the choice to do what is right is often very difficult. It goes against the ways of the world and can sometimes be painful or bring on more trouble down the road. The reward for doing the right thing does not always appear right away. In the moment all that may appear is trouble.

God is watching every believer and the choices he makes. There will come a time when He will reward every believer for his righteousness and faithfulness. David was later rewarded with a great kingdom and lineage to the Savior for his faithfulness to God.

The ultimate reward for the believer is being allowed to step into heaven and hear God tell him that he was a good and faithful servant. The believer will gain a kingdom that is greater than that of David.

Throughout your life, as a believer, you will have many opportunities to make a choice to do the right thing and be faithful to God or not. The pressures and leading of this world will strive to get you to make selfish choices that are not right.

Allow yourself to be led and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to make the right choice to be faithful to God in every situation. Let God bring His reward to you in His way and in His time. It will be greater than any temporary reward you may grab on this earth.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal to you the right choices to make in every situation; that God will find you to be a faithful servant; that you will see the reward God has for your faithfulness; and that you will trust God in every situation in your life.