May 01, 2014 - Thursday

Start Time: 7:23 A.M.

End Time: 7:55 A.M.

Title: David Destroys the Amalekites

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1 – 31

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

NOTES:

Ø We find strength in the Lord our God in bitter times of our lives!  David went to battle with the Philistines but when Achish told him to go back to Ziklag and not join the war – that was already a sad news.  To top it off, when he and his men arrived home, they found it burned and their women and children and everything else captured by the Amalekites.  Every men were weeping aloud for what happened and they were greatly distressed, including David but David found strength in the Lord.  The same way will we find strength in God in bad times.  When things fall apart and everything is just at its worse situation, we can draw near to God for in Him, we can find our strength!  Amen!

→Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit.

NOTES:

Ø When we put God first and seek His will at all times, He will give us answers that will satisfy both His plan and our heart’s desires!  We ought to inquire of God for every move we take especially actions that are stepping into a fine line of wrong intentions!  David was angry because of what the Amalekites did to them and his human nature speaks of revenge but when he found strength in God, though his nature speaks strongly to pursue the Amalekites, David place God first and inquired of His will rather than indulging his own will.  God will give us guidance when we seek of it and when we put Him first, He will provide us with direction that will not only satisfy His will but even our own desires!  When we carry it out, the intentions are no longer revenge but it becomes in pursuit of God’s will, making it good intention rather than giving in to your bad intention.

→ They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat— part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights. David asked him, “Who do you belong to? Where do you come from?” He said, “I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago. We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.”  David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”

NOTES:

Ø God gives us the right perspective on how to act in a mission without compromising ourselves and He provides us asset in our journey of winning God’s battles!  David and his men were ready to fight the Amalekites and found an Egyptian in a field, instead of not caring and being focus on their mission, David did not forget to show kindness to those who are in need.  This kindness led for the Egyptian to become their greatest asset against their enemy.  We should never forget to show kindness to those who need it because who knows what we get in return.  Even in a mission, we should not lose ourselves to it but remember that we carry a greater responsibility by becoming God’s physical representation on earth and our actions reflect on Him.  So David despite of his mission, did not forget what God will do when He finds someone in desperate need of care and love.  Hallelujah!  This did not divert David’s attention from his mission but it actually gave him better perspective on how to win his mission.  The same with us today, we ought to act as how Jesus would do.  We are focus on our mission but we do not lose ourselves to it that we end up, caught up in its web and eventually lose our personality or God’s Spirit in us.  Let us allow God to move in us.

→He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah.  David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled.  David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.  He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”  Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were.  But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”  David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.  Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this. When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.” David sent it to those who were in Bethel, Ramoth Negev and Jattir;  to those in Aroer,Siphmoth, Eshtemoa and Rakal; to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites; to those in Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athak and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where he and his men had roamed.

NOTES:

Ø God’s love, grace and favor abounds and it brings fairness in a world of unjust!  People think, “no work, no pay” but God says, “God works and you get paid”!  This is how God works!  He does the heavy lifting for us and fight our battles but all of us share the win and the plunder!  We cannot boast of what we did and become selfish by not sharing our plunder because we did not win the battle, God did.  And He said that everything will be shared to His people, those who became part of the fight and even those who stayed behind.  We ought to have this mindset so that we will not have any reason to be selfish.  Praise Jesus because He did all the work and now, we are just enjoying the plunder and whether, we took part in the fight or not, we still get to enjoy the plunder!  Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your will to fight our battles.  Thank You for the wins and the spoils You freely give us even when we did not participate or we did not do anything.  Thank You Lord for every victory comes from You and we cannot boast about what we did because everything is because of You.  Lord help us to remember this at all times that I may not become selfish and will always share what I have to others.  So that I will not claim anything of mine because in reality, there is nothing that belongs to me.  Lord thank You for Your wisdom that gives me the right perspective to face my battles.  Thank You because You give me assets in my journey that will help me overcome and win my fight.  Thank You because You always know my heart’s desire and when I seek only for Your will, You will satisfy those desires without compromising myself into making a wrong decision or sin.  Thank You Lord because when we focus on You, we will not lose ourselves in our daily battles and we will always act in the guidance of Your Spirit, reflecting Your works in the world.  Thank You Lord because in You we find our strength in bitter and difficult times of our lives.  Thank You for everything Lord and I see that Your love, grace and favor on us, always shows and comes first.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

April 30, 2014 – Wednesday

Start Time: 6:52 A.M.

End Time: 7:13 A.M.

Title: Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag

Scripture: 1 Samuel 29:1 – 11

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish.  The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.” But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

NOTES:

Ø When God turns our enemies to friends, He will not put us in a compromising situation where we have to choose between them or our families!  God is a great God!  When David was pursued by His own, God led him to his enemies and brought David favor in their eyes (Achish).  This happened so Saul will stop pursuing David.  God gave David a way out, an impossible one but God made it possible for His chosen one.  And when the time comes when David had to choose between his family, who tries to kill him, and his enemy-turned-friend, Achish, God did not allow David to make that difficult choice but instead He saved him and made the rest of the Philistines decide for David.  Note that the Philistines are mad at the Israelites, having known that David is in the care of Achish, they could have demanded to kill David and his men too as they are in battle with the Israelites.  Yet once again, God gave favor to David, and the Philistines decided to tell Achish to send David back to Ziklag and spare him the chance to choose between his family and his new found friend, Achish!  Praise the Lord!  God will not put us in a compromising position and when we are in one, He will find a way to deliver us or spare us from this harsh choice.  What a great God we serve!

→So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. ⁷ Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.” “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”  So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

NOTES:

Ø God will not allow our testimonies to be tarnished even in the eyes of our enemies!  Hallelujah!  David here is an Israelite and he found favor in the eyes of his enemy, Achish.  So he made a promise to him to serve him and fight his battles.  When the time came for David to be in a compromising situation where he had to choose between his family or his friend, Achish who helped him get away from his family.  God made a way so his good testimony of the Lord in his life will not be tarnished in the eyes of his family and friend.  God protects our lives for His Name’s Sake and Glory.  So we ought to protect our lives for His Name’s sake and Glory too.  Praise Jesus!     

Prayer:

Lord Jesus how amazing You are!  How great and marvelous You are!  Truly, no one can be compared to You.  Lord, I am amazed and moved by Your love for me that in Your word today, You showed me how magnificent and awesome Your love is.  That You can turn my enemy into a friend when needed and if that happens, You will not allow me to be in a position where I will have to choose between my family and friend and end up tarnishing my testimony of You.  Lord thank You because You help me get away and You find a way to ensure that I remain pure and that Your presence in me will remain pure in the eyes of my family, friend and even my enemies.  Thank You for preserving my life for Your Name’s sake and glory!  Hallelujah!  Truly, no one else is like You.  Help me Lord to always keep Your guidance in consideration in all decisions I make and help me Lord to see You ways and not pursue my own.  Help me to always trust You fully at all times.  Because Your love, grace, and favor is always upon me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

April 29, 2014 - Tuesday

Start Time: 6:21 A.M.

End Time: 7:09 A.M.

Title: Saul and the Medium at Endor

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:1 – 25

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.” David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

NOTES:

Ø God gives us favor in the sight of our enemies when needed!  David had nowhere to go and is on the run from his own people.  But God is always 10 steps ahead of us, He allowed Achish, a Philistine, to see David with favor.  Though, Achish may have a different agenda or goal in this partnership, God allowed it and in the end turned it around for David’s best interest.  This is how our God works!  Even in times when we don’t have any other choice or hope, God provides us a solution even in the hands of our enemies.  And everything, whether good or bad, God turns around to suit the best interest of His people.  Hallelujah!

→Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah.Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.  When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.  He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”  Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure^[a] coming up out of the earth.” “What does he look like?” he asked. An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

NOTES:

Ø God uses everything for His plan, including the death of a prophet!  The only communication Saul had to the Lord is through Samuel and when Samuel died, Saul felt the disconnect between him and God and this brought fear in him.  God already proclaimed that He wants Saul dethroned because of his disobedience but it took some time for it to happen.  I believe God is waiting for Saul to come back to his sense but it never did happen.  This is why even when David had the chance to kill Saul, he didn’t and he was conscience-stricken after cutting a small cloth from Saul’s robe.  Clearly, the heart of God is not to kill Saul but to bring him back to Him.  Yet, Saul made his choice and he stayed away from God, thinking that he is untouchable because he was chosen by God.  Saul felt connected to God with Samuel around so when Samuel died, it was ultimately his death too… because now, there is nothing connecting him to God spiritually.  It became his ultimate death and he became desperate, which then fit perfectly to God’s plan to dethrone him.

Ø When God is not with us, fear will strike our hearts and we will tend to go back to our old ways! Saul was a changed man when the Spirit of God came upon him.  He got rid of all sinful practices just as what the spiritists do.  Yet when God left Saul and when Samuel died, Saul felt the urge to go back to the sinful ways he abandoned.  He went back to his sins… Without God, we end up going back to our old sinful ways.

→ Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.  When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.  Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”  He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.

NOTES:

Ø Only destruction and ruin remains to them whom God’s spirit left from!  Saul could have been a great king.  He was chosen and anointed by God Himself, yet he disobeyed and pursued his own will instead of God’s.  Saul forgot his purpose; he was appointed by God king because he was supposed to be God’s instruments but the instrument decided to be God and so the Spirit of the Lord left him.  So what’s left to the anointed man of God who decided to play God is destruction.  Let this be a warning to all.

Ø God’s love abounds even until the end of our times here on earth!  Saul spoke with Samuel and when he heard of his ending on earth, he felt hopeless and weak.  There was no reason to continue and his fear overwhelmed him that he didn’t want to live anymore.  Yet his people including the spiritist he hired to call on Samuel, urged him to eat to stay on.  Despite of knowing that he had no chance of winning, God wants Saul to keep living and fighting until the end and not just surrender or quit.  So God provided Saul his people who will encouraged him to stay on course and keep the fight until his last breath.  Wow!  What a great God!  Even with everything Saul did, disobeying and literally going against His will, His love for Saul is true and stayed on him till his last breath.  Praise Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Praise Your Name and Glory to You alone!  I am amazed of Your great love to us Lord.  Thank You for Your unending love for me despite of my wrong choices, my wrong decisions, Your love remains upon me.  Thank You Lord because until my last breath on earth, Your love will keep me standing right and in authority in Your Name for I am Your chosen one.  Lord help me to seek You always and not play god.  Help me Lord to always pursue Your will and not mine.  Lord I do not want You to leave me for I do not want to face the reality of destruction and ruin when You leave me.  Lord I do not want to go back to my old ways and so I want You in my life Lord.  I want You living in me at all times and helping me moving on instead of going back.  Help me Lord to do the right decisions and make the right choices to fulfill Your will and not my own.  Thank You Jesus because I can trust You to be with me at all times.  I love You Lord, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

April 28, 2014 - Monday

Start Time: 6:03 A.M.

End Time: 6:31 A.M.

Title: David among the Philistines

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27: 1 – 12

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.

NOTES:

Ø With God, even when we are running away from our enemies, God expands our territories and gives us victories!  David went to Achish, son of Maok King of Gath, who is already a Philistine, to ask for favor.  As Israel’s mortal enemy, the Philistines should be the last people David expects to find favor from.  Yet the story tells us that David did find favor in the eyes of Achish and not only that, Achish even gave him the land of Ziklag so it became part of Judah’s land because of this.  Talking about expanding territories and accomplishing victories even when we are on the run.  God did this to David and He can do it with us too.  When we are down and in a situation where everything seems to be falling apart in our lives, just continue with God for He will continue to expand our territories and give us victories even when everything seems to be going on a different direction than how we planned it to be.  God can rise above every failure and trouble and He can bring us up with Him!  Hallelujah!

→Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.)  Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.  When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.  Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.”

NOTES:

Ø God allows us to take from our enemies right under their noses without them knowing it!  God allowed David to live in enemies lines but even in that situation, David continued to fight the battle of the Lord.  So even when we are trapped and had to stay within enemy’s line, God can still use us to continue His battle against them.  Praise Jesus!  So let us allow God to use us for He can do so much through us, beyond expectations and every glory comes back to Him!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Precious God and Amazing Father!  You are beyond my comprehension.  Your love is vast and huge and it does not fade away.  Thank You because even when things fall apart in our lives, this will not stop You to do Your promise!  Your promise to expand our territories and give us victories!  Lord You are awesome and great!  I am so blessed that I am Your daughter and Your Spirit is upon me.  Thank You Lord because You do not leave me when all things fail.  Thank You because our enemies are blinded to the truth.  Thank You because You cover their eyes to see Your amazing plan for my life.  I surrender Lord fully!  Use me and I know that many times I have so many questions but Lord even with all the questions, continue to use me Lord.  Continue to utilize me as a tool for Your greater plan!  Thank You because by doing so, I get to see Your love, grace and favor every day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

April 27, 2014 - Sunday

Start Time: 3:15 P.M.

End Time: 3:49 P.M.

Title: David, Nabal and Abigail

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1 – 44

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Paran.  A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite. While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’” When David’s men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David’s name. Then they waited. Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?” David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.  One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.” Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs^[b] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

NOTES:

Ø God takes note of every good and kindness we do to others and He does the same to us even more!  David and his men gave kindness to Nabal’s servants and this kindness may not have reached Nabal, Himself, but it definitely reached God.  And when David and his servants needed the same act of kindness from them, God made sure that whatever kindness they sowed were repaid.  Many times it is given back to us not from the people we thought would repay us but from those unexpected people whom we never thought of getting such kindness from.  This is how God works!  He ensures that every little good we sow grows and He makes sure we harvest whatever we planted. 

Ø God used Abigial’s worse scenario for a purpose.  She made the best out of her worse situation because she knows God and she knows David!  At times, we think why we are in such a difficult situation but we do not see the bigger plan of God.  Abigail was intelligent and beautiful yet she ended up with Nabal who was cruel and wicked, totally opposite of her.  But her role as Nabal’s wife played a significant role in David’s journey towards the process of his leadership.  Abigail didn’t complain or murmur against the Lord for such a worse fate.  She took the role of Nabal’s wife and did it right.  She acted in behalf of her husband, saving him from David even if her husband deserves the sword.  This is a true wife, blessed with beauty and brains.  Let us not dwell in our worst but make the most of the worst situation! 

→As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them.  David had just said, “It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. May God deal with David,^[c] be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!” When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say.  Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal.  And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you. “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”

NOTES:

Ø God gives us intelligence to make good judgment and stop us in getting into a war or bloodshed or further damage!  God gives us the gift of perceptions to help us getting further damage and protect us from unnecessary war.  This is true not only to Abigail and Nabal but also to David’s part.  The bloodshed David is about to commit against Nabal is unnecessary.  He is on the run for his life away from Saul and now he is about to engage in a war if Abigail hasn’t come to stop it.  God knows everything and He won’t allow us to make unnecessary decisions that will impact our focus or strength from the real war or battle we are to face against our real enemy!  Thank You Jesus!

→David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.” Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.” When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak. Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone.  About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.” She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five female servants, went with David’s messengers and became his wife.  David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both were his wives. ⁴⁴ But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel^[d] son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

NOTES:

Ø When we operate with God, people, even His anointed one, like David, will praise and worship Him because of what we’ve done!  When our actions and decisions are led and guided by God, people will ultimately praise and worship at the end of our task.  Even His anointed one or chosen leader will praise the Lord for the work You did with God’s leading.  So know that what You did is in God’s plan when in the end, people end up worshipping the One true God.  So God is glorified!  Hallelujah!

Ø God will not allow us to be abandoned; He will find a way to bring us one in His family.  Abigail was with Nabal and though she was given intelligence and beauty, she cannot get away from Nabal for she is his wife.  But when God is with You, He will find a way to keep us connected to His people.  It was God who took Nabal’s life, paving the way for Abigail to become David’s wife.  So know that God will never abandon us and HE will always find a way to bring us together (His people).  Praise Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus thank You because You take our worse scenario and turn it around as we continue to do what is right in Your eyes.  Thank You because You take note of every good and kindness we show and You are the one rewarding us for those act of kindness.  Many times You used the people we least expect to repay the kindness we sowed to others.  Help us Lord to see that You are the center of this all.  And when we do Your work, we know that all Glory belongs to You and Your alone.  Thank You because when we do Your work, we will be protected from further damaging ourselves or making wrong decisions.  You take control and do not allow us to be trapped to sin.  Lord remind me that Your work always lead to Your glory and help me to trust You because in You, I am always protected and together with Your family.  Thank You for not abandoning me Lord and for always being with me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

April 26, 2014 - Saturday

Start Time: 10:09 A.M.

End Time: 10:40 A.M.

Title: David Spares Saul’s Life

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1 – 22

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.  The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said^[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.  Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

NOTES:

Ø God’s heart is always for His anointed one!  No matter how bad or evil the anointed one becomes, a part of God’s heart remains with him/her.  David, who is a man after God’s own heart, had the opportunity to kill King Saul, his enemy.  But despite of taking justice into his own hand (and he has a valid reason to do so), David chose not to and decided to cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.  Still this action struck his conscience because he felt that it was not his place to touch God’s anointed.  Let us have the same heart as David.  Despite of the oppression of our enemies, when given a chance to take justice on our hands, let us choose to do the right thing and never touch the anointed of God.  This is God’s heart for all of us.

→ Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.  He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?  This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you. “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? ¹⁵ May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”

NOTES:

Ø God vindicates us from everyone including our enemies!  God does not only avenge us but He justifies us when we do His will in our lives.  He directs our every step and He supports each God-driven action we take.  To our enemies we are cleared of all actions and God will make sure that everyone will find out the truth behind every accusation of our enemies. 

Ø God never offers rebellion as a solution to our situation!  God takes care of us even in times when we are deep in trouble.  But He never presents rebellion or disobedience as a way out to our situation.  Know that the enemy can sometimes present sin as a solution to our circumstances but God never allows that.  So know God to know the right path to take when face a difficult circumstance.

→When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud.  “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.  You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today.  I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

NOTES:

Ø God will always be glorified in the lives of His people!  Even our enemies will know that God is on our side because God will reveal it to them through the decisions we make with God’s guidance.  The words of Saul clearly glorified the Lord in David’s life and Saul even confirmed the plans of the Lord to make David King.  God can use even our enemies to confirm God’s purpose and plans for us. 

Ø God will use our enemies to proclaim blessings and rewards to us because of our obedience to Him! God is not limited and He can use whomever He chooses even our enemies.  And our enemies will proclaim good things for us because of God’s love for us.  Praise Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, mighty King and Glorious Father.  Thank You for Your love that always embraces and lifts me up.  Thank You because Your heart is upon Your anointed one and Your heart is upon us at all times.  Thank You because You clear out my name and support me always.  You vindicate me from any accusations of my enemies.  Help me to remember always Lord that Your solution never leads me to sin.  Remind me to choose the right decisions by making sure that I do not make compromises but I always stand in truth.  Lord, help me to realize that everything I do should give glory to Your name for it is Your will.  Thank You Jesus for You are not limited to do Your plans for me and You can even use my enemies to confirm Your will in my life.  Thank You for Your love, grace and favor always.  I love You Jesus!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!