Devotional

Posted on

1Samuel 6, The Ark Returns!

1Sa 6:1, Now the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines SEVEN MONTHS.

The Philistines wanted to keep their trophy but, the hand of the LORD was hard on them!

1Sa 6:6, Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, …

So many people harden their hearts and I can see this in me when talking about my family!

Hos 10:12 NLT, I said, ‘PLANT THE GOOD SEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND YOU WILL HARVEST A CROP OF LOVE. PLOW UP THE HARD GROUND OF YOUR HEARTS, FOR NOW IS THE TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ 

The Ark of God came back home But!

1Sa 6:19, Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, BECAUSE THEY HAD LOOKED INTO THE ARK OF THE LORD.

They removed the mercy seat, and looked directly at tablets of the Law of God! EVERYONE IS GUILTY ACCORDING TO THE LAW; ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!  IN CHRIST WE HAVE BEEN SHOWN MERCY, YET WITHOUT HIM ALL WE HAVE IS DEATH BECAUSE OF OUR SIN! 

Job 9:4, GOD IS WISE IN HEART AND MIGHTY IN STRENGTH. WHO HAS HARDENED HIMSELF AGAINST HIM AND PROSPERED? 

LORD SOFTEN MY HEART THAT I MAY SERVE YOU WELL!

Posted on

1Samuel 5, the work of mans hands!

The philistines took the Ark of God from Israel and placed it in front of Dagon god!

1Sa 5:4, … THERE WAS DAGON, FALLEN ON ITS FACE TO THE GROUND BEFORE THE ARK OF THE LORD. THE HEAD OF DAGON AND BOTH THE PALMS OF ITS HANDS WERE BROKEN OFF… 

The head (wisom) and the hands (strength) were broken off from dagon! THERE IS NO WISDOM NOR STRENGTH FOLLOWING THEIR SO-CALLED god CREATED BY MEN!

Jer 10:8, BUT THEY ARE ALTOGETHER DULL-HEARTED AND FOOLISH; A WOODEN IDOL IS A WORTHLESS DOCTRINE.

1Sa 5:10, Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. So it was, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people!” 

THE GLORY OF GOD DID NOT DEPART FROM ISRAEL, BUT ISRAEL DEPARTED FROM THE LORD! THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO REJECT THE OBVIOUS TO BELEIVE A LIE

Psa 19:1-3, … THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD; AND THE FIRMAMENT SHOWS HIS HANDIWORK. DAY UNTO DAY UTTERS SPEECH, AND NIGHT UNTO NIGHT REVEALS KNOWLEDGE. THERE IS NO SPEECH NOR LANGUAGE WHERE THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD.

JUST LOOK UP AND SEE THE HIS DESIGN! FOR WHERE THERES A DESIGN THERE IS A DESIGNER! THE FATHER OF LIGHTS CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, MAN AND BEAST!

Posted on

1Samuel 4, Israel defeated by their sin!

In the late 1970’s, a five-line inscription was found on a grain silo in the ruins of Izbet Sarteh. When deciphered, it was found to contain a Philistine account of this battle

1Sa 4:3, …”WHY HAS THE LORD DEFEATED US TODAY BEFORE THE PHILISTINES? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” 

Because of their continue sin against the LORD they were defeated in battle! Now they plan to take the Ark of the Covenant in battle?

1Sa 4:5, And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 

They should have repented & humbled themselves before the LORD rather than try using the Ark as a good luck charm! SHOUTS OF JOY AT CHURCH MEAN NOTHING WITHOUT THE WORD OF GOD! NO FOUNDATION!

1Sa 4:10-11, SO THE PHILISTINES FOUGHT, AND ISRAEL WAS DEFEATED, …ALSO THE ARK OF GOD WAS CAPTURED; AND THE TWO SONS OF ELI, HOPHNI AND PHINEHAS, DIED.

Eze 18:21-23, “BUT IF A WICKED MAN TURNS FROM ALL HIS SINS WHICH HE HAS COMMITTED, KEEPS ALL MY STATUTES, AND DOES WHAT IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT, HE SHALL SURELY LIVE; HE SHALL NOT DIE. NONE OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS WHICH HE HAS COMMITTED SHALL BE REMEMBERED AGAINST HIM; … Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “AND NOT THAT HE SHOULD TURN FROM HIS WAYS AND LIVE?

THE GLORY DEPARTED ISRAEL BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS. THEY DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES! SEEK HIM AND LIVE!

Posted on

1Samuel 3, Truly knowing the LORD!

1Sa 3:7, Now Samuel DID NOT YET KNOW THE LORD, NOR WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD YET REVEALED TO HIM. 

1Sa 3:8-9, And the LORD called Samuel again the third time…. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, THAT YOU MUST SAY, ‘SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS.’ …

Samuel was young and serving & ministering before the LORD 1Sa 2:18. YET, he did not know HIM! THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SERVE IN THE CHURCH, ESPECIALLY YOUNG KIDS, WHO SIMPLY THINK “THIS IS WHAT WE DO BY TRADITION”. THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE IN GOD YET DON’T KNOW GOD AS LORD! ONCE OUR EYES ARE OPEN THEN WE CAN TRULY SEE!

Jer 9:24, But let him who glories glory in this, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME,

1Sa 3:10, Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS.” 

Eli, told him to say SPEAK LORD, Yet Samuel just said SPEAK!  YOUNG SAMUEL THEN UNDERSTOOD THAT HE IS AND IT’S NOT MERE TRADITION BUT IN FACT IT IS TRULY SERVING A LIVING AND PRESENT GOD!  HE IS!!

Heb 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Posted on

1Samuel 2, Hannah’s prayer!

Hannah on the day she feared the most only praised the KING OF GLORY!

1Sa 2:1-2, And Hannah prayed and said: “MY HEART REJOICES IN THE LORD; MY HORN IS EXALTED IN THE LORD. I smile at my enemies, BECAUSE I REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION. “NO ONE IS HOLY LIKE THE LORD, FOR THERE IS NONE BESIDES YOU, NOR IS THERE ANY ROCK LIKE OUR GOD.

This is the day she would leave her son Samuel in the house of the LORD who will never come to live with her again! YET, her heart rejoices in the LORD! She had lent the LORD her son!

1Sa 1:28, Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” SO THEY WORSHIPED THE LORD THERE. 

SHE LENT HER SON TO GOD, YET THE LORD GAVE HER MUCH MORE THAN SHE IMAGINED!

1Sa 2:21, And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD. 

1Sam 2:3,6,7 …For the LORD is THE GOD OF KNOWLEDGE; And by Him actions are weighed…. The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up… THE LORD MAKES POOR AND MAKES RICH; HE BRINGS LOW AND LIFTS UP.

GLORY BE TO THE LORD FOR HE IS IN FULL CONTROL EVEN IF WE CAN’T SEE IT!

Posted on

1Samuel 1, the Birth of Samuel!

Samuel the last of the Judges and the first of the prophets from Israel!

1Sa 1:5-6, But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD HAD CLOSED HER WOMB. And HER RIVAL ALSO PROVOKED HER SEVERELY, TO MAKE HER MISERABLE, BECAUSE THE LORD HAD CLOSED HER WOMB.

v.10, Hannah prayed and wept before the LORD because the LORD had closed her womb! The LORD’s understanding and His ways are far beyond our understanding! BUT HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR OUR LIVES AND HOW TO BRING OUT THE GOOD IN ANY SITUATION!

Isa 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

1Sa 1:19-20, … And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, AND THE LORD REMEMBERED HER. So it came to pass IN THE PROCESS OF TIME THAT HANNAH CONCEIVED AND BORE A SON, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

She didn’t get pregnant right away but she with faith along with patience she received her petition from the LORD!   

Heb 6:12, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES. 

Posted on

Ruth 4, Our Redeemer is JESUS

Rth 4:9-10, …”You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, RUTH THE MOABITESS… I HAVE ACQUIRED AS MY WIFE, …

Boaz redeem the property that Naomi lost and the posterity of Elimelech, so his name would not be cut off from Israel! Also Boaz took Ruth as his wife!

Rth 4:14-15, Then the women said to Naomi, “BLESSED BE THE LORD, WHO HAS NOT LEFT YOU THIS DAY WITHOUT A CLOSE RELATIVE; AND MAY HIS NAME BE FAMOUS IN ISRAEL! And may he be to you A RESTORER OF LIFE and A NOURISHER OF YOUR OLD AGE; …

Rth 4:17, Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “THERE IS A SON BORN TO NAOMI.” AND THEY CALLED HIS NAME OBED. HE IS THE FATHER OF JESSE, THE FATHER OF DAVID. 

And from David came the Messiah, Jesus who is our Kinsman-Redeemer! Naomi thought she lost everything, but the LORD blessed her and Ruth abundantly! HE IS THE RESTORER OF LIFE

Isa 54:4-8 “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; … FOR YOUR MAKER IS YOUR HUSBAND, THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME; AND YOUR REDEEMER IS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL; HE IS CALLED THE GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH. … “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. … BUT WITH EVERLASTING KINDNESS I WILL HAVE MERCY ON YOU,” SAYS THE LORD, YOUR REDEEMER.

Posted on

Ruth 3, Protection for Ruth!

Rth 3:1, Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek SECURITY FOR YOU, that it may be well with you? 

Naomi, wanted rest and security for Ruth and she would find it with their Kinsman Redeemer! He was responsible to redeem a relative sold to slavery, to buy back their property (Lev 25:25) and to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deu 25:5-10)!

Lev 25:48, AFTER HE IS SOLD HE MAY BE REDEEMED AGAIN. ONE OF HIS BROTHERS MAY REDEEM HIM; 

WE WERE REDEEMED BY THE LORD, JESUS, FOR WE WERE SLAVES TO SIN!

Rth 3:9, And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. TAKE YOUR MAIDSERVANT UNDER YOUR WING, for you are a close relative.” 

Eze 16:8  “… SO I SPREAD MY WING OVER YOU AND COVERED YOUR NAKEDNESS. YES, I SWORE AN OATH TO YOU AND ENTERED INTO A COVENANT WITH YOU, AND YOU BECAME MINE,” SAYS THE LORD GOD.

Psa 91:4, He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

THE LORD IS OUR REDEEMER AND HE WANTS TO COVER US WITH HIS LOVE AND SECURITY, YET SOME WERE NOT WILLING (Mat 23:37).  THIS IS A PICTURE OF CHRIST OUR LORD HIS TRUTH IS OUR SHIELD, HIS TRUTH IS OUR STRENGTH!  BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

Posted on

Ruth 2, the providence of God!

Rth 2:2-3, So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “PLEASE LET ME GO TO THE FIELD, AND GLEAN HEADS OF GRAIN AFTER HIM IN WHOSE SIGHT I MAY FIND FAVOR…And SHE HAPPENED TO COME TO THE PART OF THE FIELD BELONGING TO BOAZ, WHO WAS OF THE FAMILY OF ELIMELECH

Ruth didn’t just wait she went to work for her and her mother-in-law! And she HAPPENED to come to that field?  In her mind that maybe the case but this is the PROVIDENCE OF GOD!

 Joh 5:17, But Jesus answered them, “MY FATHER HAS BEEN WORKING UNTIL NOW, AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING.” 

Rth 2:7, … SO SHE CAME AND HAS CONTINUED FROM MORNING UNTIL NOW, THOUGH SHE RESTED A LITTLE IN THE HOUSE.” 

Rth 2:20, Then Naomi said …”Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” …”This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” 

THIS IS WHAT I PRAY FOR THAT THE LORD OPENS A DOOR THAT I DON’T EVEN SEE IN FRONT OF ME! AS ISRAEL HAD AN ARMY BEHIND THEM AND THE SEA BEFORE THEM THE LORD OPENNED A PATH THROUGH THE SEA!  A PATH WHICH THEY NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OF! RUTH JUST HAPPENED TO FIND HER KINSMEN REDEEMER, HER GOEL! OUR GOEL IS THE LORD JESUS, THE CHRIST! KING OF kings AND LORD OF lords! WE MAY NOT SEE HIM, YET HE IS ALWAYS WORKING

Posted on

Ruth 1, Returning to the LORD!

Rth 1:1, Now it came to pass, IN THE DAYS WHEN THE JUDGES RULED, that there was a FAMINE IN THE LAND. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 

The time of the Judges was dark for people did what was right in their own eyes! Elimelech, Naomi & their two sons left for Moab! After 10 years, her husband died and their two married sons also died leaving three childless widows!

Rth 1:16-17, But Ruth said: “…For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God… The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth saw Naomi’s faith even in times of trouble! She didn’t blame the LORD, but she blamed herself for leaving the promised land! Ruth clung to her and decided to leave her old life behind trusting in the GOD of Naomi!

Rth 1:21, I went out full, and the LORD has BROUGHT ME HOME AGAIN EMPTY. … the LORD HAS TESTIFIED AGAINST ME, AND THE ALMIGHTY HAS AFFLICTED ME?” 

SHE LOST EVERYTHING BUT HER FAITH IN GOD! AND SHE RETURNED TO HER GOD! OFTEN AFFLICTION EITHER BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD OR DRIVES US AWAY!

Hos 14:1, O ISRAEL, RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, FOR YOU HAVE STUMBLED BECAUSE OF YOUR INIQUITY;