Tag: Bible

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1 Samuel 23

judyinthesky91

Read 1 Samuel 23 – David hears of persecution in Keilah, asks the Lord if he should go, and goes(23:1-2).  Learn. Pray. Move.  It’s a great pattern for life.  David is a fearless protector.  His men feared (23:3), and David did not dismiss their fears, but reconfirmed with the LORD(23:4).  They were successful in rescuing the people of Keilah, and Saul learns of their location and brings his entire army.  Notice Saul says, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped him in a walled town.”  Some people are prone to invent what God is thinking or doing to suit their own interests.  Later, in 23:21, Saul offers the Lord’s blessing for the men who betrayed David, adding, “At last someone is concerned about me!”  Pathetic, right?  Have you ever made up what God thinks without actually praying about it?  Be cautious of throwing your own pity party; rather, let gratitude and prayer lead you through life.🙍‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙆‍♀️🙌🙆‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙎‍♂️

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    1 Samuel 22 With Bonus

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 22 – King Saul is a maniac.   He reminds me of the rock stars of the 70’s, living like they had no one to answer to,  full of abandon, destruction, and ego… except Saul takes his aggressions out on people, not just hotel rooms.   David is still in hiding, and many join him (22:2).  Saul questions the priests and orders his men to slaughter the them, but they refuse (22:15-17).  He orders Doeg, his chief shepherd to do it (we met him in 21:7).  Doeg kills 85 priests,  then seeks out their families and livestock.  Only one escapes, Abiathar, who runs to David and is offered protection(22:20-23).  My blood is boiling with outrage at the atrocities! 💔😡😭✝️😭😡💔 

    Bonus edition:   SHEPHERDS

    Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd.   He says the sheep hear His voice and follow Him. See:  Matthew 10, John 10, Revelation 7.

    King David was a shepherd.   Those days and nights in the field taught him to fight off attackers,  to rescue, to care for a flock and to ponder the mysteries of God. See 1 Samuel 16:11, 17:34-37, Psalm 23 

    Doeg was a shepherd.   The same skills David used for good,  he used for evil when he slaughtered the priests and their families.   Evil will always try to imitate God. See 1 Samuel 21-22

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    1 Samuel 21

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 21 – David is a quick thinker.  David goes to the priest,  Ahimelech, for food and weapons.   He is offered the priests bread… Jesus will refer to this when defending his apostles for eating grain on the sabbath by saying: THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN, AND NOT MAN FOR THE SABBATH (Mark 2:27).  Human needs rise above legalism. The priest has one weapon to offer, it is the very sword of Goliath.  David moves on to a Philistine community,  ruled by King Achish, whose officers recognize David and know he is the king of the land (21:11).  David tricks them into thinking him insane (21:13) as a means to escape.   Sometimes it’s hard to know where to turn for help, and when you realize you’re in bad company,  it’s time to use every trick in the book. 🥖🗡😛🙏🏻😜🗡🥖

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    1 Samuel 20

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 20 – Dealing with broken people, especially broken people you love, is a complicated endeavor.  As David confesses his concern to Jonathon, Jonathan denies the need for concern (20:2).  They come up with a plan to determine the king’s motives, David hides, and just before they part, Jonathan says something that pierced my heart.  “May the Lord be with you as he used to be with my father.”  20:13b  Jonathon could plainly see the change in his father.  Saul reveals the ugliness of his rage when he learns that David will not be at the celebration.  He lashes out thoughtlessly, even trying to kill his own son, Jonathon, by throwing a spear at him (20:30-33).  Jonathan and David agree it is best for David to leave town.  Have you ever experienced rage like Sauls?  Your own or a loved ones?  What were the consequences? In hindsight, can you see God’s protection in the chaos? 😡😪👬🙏🏻👭😪😡

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    1 Samuel 19

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 19 – So much drama!  Jealousy is consuming king Saul so much that he is urging his servants and Jonathon (Saul’s son/David’s best friend) to kill David.  Jonathon urges David to hide while he speaks to his father, reminding him of David’s faithful service.  This ends with Saul making a vow to not kill David (19:6).  There are two great points here: when you are angry with someone, consider the whole person and not just the moment that frustrates you – and, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:33-37, don’t even swear an oath, simply make your yes be yes, and your no, be no.  Soon after Saul’s vow, the tormenting spirit comes over him once more,and he throws a spear at David.  David dodges it and flee’s.  Remember, David is an incredible warrior, it would have been a simple thing for him to kill Saul in defense, but David honors the king by fleeing.  More plots to kill David result in him seeking refuge with Samuel.  Everyone, including the king, comes to kill David and instead is overcome by the Spirit of God and begins to prophesy (19:20,21,23).  One would think this blessed occurrence would change a person… stay tuned!  

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    1 Samuel 18

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 18 – I was 4 when my family moved to a new home.   I was in my new backyard, feeling lost and lonely when two little girls appeared from over the back fence. There was an immediate bond of friendship in that moment that continues to this day, much like we read about between Jonathon and David (18:1-4).  A lifelong friend is such a blessing from God. David continues to gain notoriety and respect throughout chapter 18, while king Saul’s jealously and fear grows.   Saul tried to kill David personally (18:11) and by sending him to battle (18:17,21,25).  The Lord was with David and brought him victory at every challenge.   Beloved,  lean into Jesus and watch His hand of protection over your life no matter what you are up against. 👬😠😇🙌😇😠👭

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    1 Samuel 17

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 17 – This should be a familiar story, yet the bible is so much more exciting than the Sunday school books!  Young David brings his brother’s lunch out on the battlefield and hears the giant, Goliath, taunting.  Goliath is 9’ tall and mouthy (17:4-8).  He has been harassing the Israeli army for 40 days when David comes on scene(17:16).  David inquires about the situation and his brothers give him grief (17:28).  King Saul hears about this and speaks to David.  David assures the king, he has had to fight off lion and bear in defending his sheep, the God who rescued him from those situations will rescue him from the Philistine – all glory to God (17:34-36).  Do you have this kind of faith?  It doesn’t seem to occur to David to fear the giant; David belongs to God. The God of Heaven’s Armies will slay this giant!  Keep reading, David’s faith will remind you to have courage in the face of trouble.  What else stands out to you? 🗡🦁🤺💖🤺🦁🗡

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    1 Samuel 16:14-23

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23 – Things continue to spiral for king Saul.  He is tormented by depression and fear (16:14).  When a person rejects God by their freewill, things get confusing and depressing really fast!  Young David is called into service because,  among many talents,  he plays the harp.  He is soon king Saul’s right hand man,  the armor bearer.   The Lord orchestrates gifts, talents, hobbies, even struggles and tragedies to work together,  preparing you for a purpose he will reveal in time.  Today,  we see an inkling of Romans 8:28 in the life of David.  How has this verse proven true in your life?   AND WE KNOW THAT GOD CAUSES ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.  Romans 8:28💖🎶😇🙏🏻😇🎶💖

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    1 Samuel 15

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 15 – This will be a hard chapter for some of you.  God commands Israel to completely destroy the Amalekites, and he is very specific (15:3).  Remember, God is good.   When something is hard to wrap your head around,  dig deeper and pray for understanding…. Saul’s partial obedience is disobedience and the ripple effect from it continues. Saul spared the king and took the choice livestock – justifying that this would be used for sacrifice to God (15:8-9,15).   It’s like tithing with stolen money.  Saul is so prideful he doesn’t seem to realize his sin (15:13).  This is a prime example of how God views the theory ‘I believe my good outweighs my bad’.  No,  partial obedience is disobedience.   Saul does not repent until after Samuel confronts him (15:22-23).  Let’s all take some time to pray and ask God if there’s anything in our hearts that we need to confess and turn from. Meditate on Psalm 139 as you do. 💰🐂🐑😱🤯😭🙏🏻

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    1 Samuel 14

    judyinthesky91

    Read 1 Samuel 14 – always pray for wisdom and understanding, then read the chapter before you read what I have to say.   That will develop your ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.

    The Bible is a Living Word.   You can read it over and over, and get a fresh understanding each time.   The bible doesn’t change, but you do.   You grow, and learn, and face new decisions constantly, and God’s Word will continually bless you with fresh wisdom and insights. 

    We get to know Johnathon,  Saul’s son, a bit more today. We also see Saul make a foolish oath that only leads his men to sin (14:24).  In fact, we see Saul’s ego still making decisions without asking the Lord.  Fortunately,  he has wise counsel from his priest:   LET’S ASK GOD FIRST (14:36).  Beloved,  may those words echo in your heart as you make decisions,  big and small,  today. 🙏🏻👩🏽‍🏫💬💖🗨🙋‍♂️🙏🏻