1 Samuel 10:1-11:15 + John 6:43-71 + Psalm 107:1-43 + Proverbs 15:1-3
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Old Testament - Okay - I have a temporary new favorite verse in the Bible! Today in First Samuel chapter 10 verse 22 when they were about to name Saul king, but they couldn't find him: "So they asked the LORD, "Where is he?" And the LORD replied, "He is hiding among the baggage."" That is awesome! I really appreciate the fact that Saul was hiding among the baggage. :) I think that's where I would be too. I hope I would be in any case. I think it's a bit scary when someone is too lustful for power. Better to have your future king hiding in the baggage... :)
(sorry, couldn't resist this photo... :) I suppose this image below would be more appropriate for Saul being named king as we read in verse 24: "Then Samuel said to all the people, "This is the man the LORD has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is his equal!" And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
In First Samuel chapter 11 we see Saul really step into his role as king by defending the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites attack. Verse 2 was sad to consider when the Ammonite king said this to the citizens of Jabesh-gilead - ""All right," Nahash said, "but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!"" Gouging out the right eye would be done for humiliation purposes - but also to destroy the military ability of the archers. After this point, Saul gets word back in his hometown that Jabesh-gilead is under attack. Below is a powerful painting by the artist James Tissot from the year 1896 of verses 6 & 7: "Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. 7 He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!”"
I was impressed with Saul's graciousness in verses 12 & 13 of this chapter: "Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, "Now where are those men who said Saul shouldn't rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!" But Saul replied, "No one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!" Impressive. You could see where after defeating the Ammonites, Israel's adrenaline might be running high to go after dissenters. Saul put a stop to it, which was impressive. What about us today? When we are riding high on a victory of some sort and the group around us says we should forge ahead on something that does not seem right, can we stand up and say "No" to the group as Saul did on this day?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in 1 Samuel titled "The Making of Israel's First King" is at this link.
New Testament - Okay, so John chapter 6 verses 53 through 58 are some verses that get interpreted several different ways - some saying these verses speak of the Lord's Supper and some saying they speak only of faith in Jesus because the Lord's Supper had not yet been instituted by Jesus at this time. I think the key for us to focus on is that Jesus is our nourishment - our literal spiritual food if we have faith in him. It is interesting to note that many disciples turned away from Jesus after this teaching. I love Peter's reply to Jesus in verses 68 & 69 after Jesus asks if the Twelve will leave too - "Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God."" True words indeed Peter. True words indeed. If not Jesus, to whom would you go? Does anyone else have the words that give eternal life?
Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 6 today titled "The Bread of Life" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 107 today is a wonderful Psalm of thanksgiving! Okay, be honest, who started busting out singing the Michael W. Smith/Chris Tomlin worship tune "Forever" when you read verse 1? - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." I did! That's a great tune... based on a great verse in a great Psalm.
Psalm 107 repeats a verse four times - starting with verse 6 here - ""LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress." (then see verse 13, verse 19, and verse 28 - same verse) This is a great reminder to pray - and yes, it's great to pray during times of distress of course. But, how about praying during times of happiness & joy? Or even times of just regular blahs? I recently read much of the book "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg (great book!), and it has a great chapter on prayer. It is so true that one of the best ways to truly know and love God is through prayer. Simple prayer. 5 minutes a day. Do you pray to God 5 minutes a day? When the storms of life come, do you cry out for help to Jesus? Do you know that he will always be there for you in the midst of the storm?
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 15 verse 1 is so so so very true... we would all do well to practice this every day - "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." How beautifully true & wise this is? Let us be gentle people...
Worship Video: Today's Psalm and Proverb reminds me of Michael W. Smith's classic song "Friends:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAeD2UEYaAk
Do you believe friends are friends forever? Click here for Forever!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray thanksgiving to God for His goodness today! Pray thanksgiving that God's love endures forever!
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: If someone were to describe you, would they describe you as a "gentle" person? Would you want to be described as a gentle person? Should we be gentle all of the time? Was Jesus gentle all of the time? Was Jesus gentle most of the time? To whom or in what circumstances was Jesus not gentle? Should we follow Jesus in this regard? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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1 Samuel 10-11-15
Today’s Old Testament reading made me very sad and I’m not really sure why. I think it may have something to do with the people rejecting God as their king and thinking that a “man” can give them what they want. Don’t we do the same thing today? We put our hopes and desires in spouses, children, politicians and vain philosophies. The arm of man will fail us and has failed us yet we continue to look for a “man” who is “head and shoulders” above everyone else to guide us instead of looking toward the Creator of heaven and earth. Israel exchanged her God for one of flesh and blood. She desired to look to toward one who was created instead of the Creator, how said.
John 6:43-71
A sad, sad, sad state of affairs, the crowd that followed Jesus because He fed them is now turning from Him because He tells them that the food and drink they need to take in is not the fare they are looking for.
In reading through Jesus’ discourses with the crowd and his disciples, it appears to me that very few came out and said to him, “Look Master, please break it down for us, we don’t understand what you are saying.” Most of the time those in the crowds, His disciples included, just tried to guess and reason in their own minds what He meant. I think pride keeps us from asking Jesus questions; from asking God, “What does this mean?” especially when we are in a crowd. We don’t want others to think we are stupid.
I think this very thing is happening with us today regarding Jesus. The key to getting understanding is seeking, knocking and asking continually, but we either grow weary or we try to “Fake it ‘till we make it,” trying to impress the throngs around us. God knows we don’t impress Him with our fake knowledge.
On another note there is something very interesting in Peter’s response to Jesus when He asks the twelve, “Are you going to leave, too?” (Verse 67). This question requires one of two one-word sentences, “Yes” or “No.” Peter gives a story in his response,
68 …Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God."
Peter’s response tells us that he was surly thinking of “booking out” (leaving) on Jesus. Be careful how you respond to questions that require one-word answers, you will tell on yourself.
Psalm 107
This is a “Testimony” Psalm. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Rev. 12:11) Truly this song is one that should be read when we are down in the dumps and think God has abandoned us.
Proverbs 15:1-3
2 The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness.
This little Proverb should be studied and adhered to by everyone who wants to be a teacher, in my humble opinion.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | May 10, 2023 at 08:31 PM