Seeking Reassurance, Or Change?

Today's verse is I Samuel 23:4
Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 

After David’s men spoke of their Fear, David once again asks the Lord the same question he just asked. When Balaam returned to ask again, though the Lord will did not change, his answer did. But, God was gracious unto David for his men’s sake and confirmed the answer. We are all frail, and often need reassurances, but once you know what God wants of you, he does not change, and his purpose for you will not change, whatever the circumstance you may find yourself in to the contrary. So whatever the circumstance you do find yourself, Trust God, lean not to your understanding, even as you seek to understand, and acknowledge God, and his Word in all that you do, and your path will become clear as you follow him. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 23-24, I, I Chronicles 6, Psalm 54, Acts 16
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 25, I Chronicles 7, Acts 17

Opportunity To Lead

Today's verse is I Samuel 22:2
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 

We see here that the men that God sent David would make a great group of pirates. Yet David had already lead men in battle, and he had already learned the value of order in the camp. As diverse and undesirable as these men were, David lead them to obey him, thus also God and turned them into men of honor. They went to David seeking escape from their troubles, much from their own making, Yet to stay with David, he taught them to be responsible men. As you follow God, he will give you opportunity to lead others to the right way by showing them how to rely not upon themselves, but upon the God that loves them. Selah [Think upon this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 21-22, I Chronicles 5, Psalm 52, Acts 15
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 23-24, I Chronicles 6, Psalm 54, Acts 16

How Dense We Can Be

Today's verse is I Samuel 20:33
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 

Jonathan shew us that we can be very dense at times, that it took Saul making an attempt to kill him, because he kept David from him to see Saul’s desire toward David. It is at least in part, this reason that we are told of Paul’s ministry and message in this passage: “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” One of the reasons that we have difficult times is: that such is required just in order to get our attention. Today, the whole world is suffering from the same trouble, so whether the trouble be to all, or just some personal tragedy, always ask yourself, for what purpose is God trying to get my attention, and use it to turn your focus back unto God. If you do this, God will deliver you, just as he delivered David from Saul, or possibly Noah from the flood, or many other examples that we can find in the Word of God. Selah [Think about this.] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 20, I Chronicles 4, Psalm 56, 57, 142, Acts 14
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 21-22, I Chronicles 5, Psalm 52, Acts 15

The God That Defends His Own

Today's verse is Psalm 59:9
     Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:
      For God is my defence.

In this Psalm David says some things of Saul, which appear to be contrary to how David acts towards Saul in the first book of Samuel. Is this a contraction? No, it shews how David truly trusted God. In  Samuel we see how David allowed God’s Word to dictate his actions toward Saul, while in the Psalm, David pours out his heart to God with the troubles he is currently in. Yet, as we see in the Psalm, David does not take the matter of Saul in his own hand, but fully turns it over to God, and trusts God to determine Saul’s fate. We can do the same, for the God that David trusted in, is still the same today, and as he was worthy of David’s trust, so is he worthy of ours. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  I Samuel 18-19, I Chronicles 3, Psalm 59, Acts 13
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 20, I Chronicles 4, Psalm 56, 57, 142, Acts 14

The Hope Produced By Experience

Today's verse is I Samuel 17:37
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 

Paul tells us in Romans, that the Word of God produces faith, and earlier he also tells us that patience produces experience, and experience, hope. This is what we see in David here. For God had enabled David, and had delivered him before, so David was sure that God was both willing and able to do so again. Are you aware of any of the promises God has given you? If not, read God’s Word. Have you seen God work in your life? Forget not what he has done, and know that what he has already done is an example to you what he will continue to do, and also why he would do it. Selah [think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 17, I Chronicles 2, Acts 12
Monday’s Reading will be: I Samuel 18-19, I Chronicles 3, Psalm 59, Acts 13

How Does God Judge?

Today's verse is I Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

We have a tendency to judge, or appraise others by their appearance, and sometimes we will take account of their actions, at other times we will accept them because of their promises to us. Yet God, while taking account of some of these things, also knows all of our motives, the why we do the things that we do. So let us examine ourselves, and check not only are we doing what we ought to be doing, but are we doing these things because God is our God, and it is for him, that we do the things that we do, and our chief motive is to please him. And if such is so, as David was chosen above all of his (older) brethren, so too will God chose and promote us, to his Honor, and Glory. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 15-16, I Chronicles 1, Psalm 39, Acts 11
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 17, I Chronicles 2, Acts 12

Acting While Allowing God to Lead

Today's verse is I Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 

Jonathan had a thought, and being lead of God, and allowing God to lead, he acted upon it, telling no one but his servant, his comrade in arms. This thing that was done in secret, quickly became known to all, and all followed the example, and a great victory was had for Israel because of it. As Jonathan testified, God is not limited, by what is available. He definitely is not limited by what you or I can do, so if you are prompted by the Spirit to act, Act, and see what God will do. Selah [Think about this, but not just think] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 14, Psalm 124, Acts 10
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 15-16, I Chronicles 1, Psalm 39, Acts 11

Allow God To Work

Today's verse is Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

As we look at Paul’s ministry, we see that he immediately started to diligently preach the good news of the gospel first to the Jew, and then to the Gentile, but he did not even attempt to gain entrance to the rulers. There is a lesson that we can learn here. Though we may know to some extent what God would have us do, we are to allow him to make these things happen. King Saul, took upon himself to make sacrifice, which was a ministry for the priest, displeasing God. Moses took upon himself (at the wrong time, and the wrong way) delivering the Jews. So, do today only those things that God has opened the door for, and be faithful in them, but such that you would have to force, leave alone, for God will open those doors at the appointed time. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 11-13, Psalm 38, Acts 9
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 14, Psalm 124, Acts 10

Our Best Is But Vanity

Today's verse is I Samuel 9:7-8
     Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
     And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. 

This passage points out a character flaw in Saul, and of what kind of man he truly is. In the parables of the talents, and of the stones, there is one kind of person that is not found. . . the one who tried his best, yet came up short. Saul is this kind of example. Most about him thought that he was the best among them, yet through Saul we can see that none of our best is good enough. For even as Saul was found lacking, so shall we. But God has prepared for us a way, and has prepared for that which is lacking. If we should put away our best, and instead seek out the one that took our place, he will, with a loving hand, shape us into a vessel that can be used for his Glory, and to his Honor. Saul, refused to do this, but relied upon himself and was always found lacking, But David, still lacking, but he relied upon God, and he to this day is considered Israel’s greatest King. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 9-10, Acts 8
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 11-13, Psalm 38, Acts 9

What Man Rejects, God Uses

Today's verse is Acts 7:35
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. 

As we see in Moses, even so we also see in Christ, that what man has rejected, God set up to deliver those that he loves. Have you been rejected? Think nothing of it. Rather, seek out and look to the face of God, for if you turn with one heart and one mind to face him, giving all that you have to him, he shall in no wise reject you, and once you are accepted of him, what matter does it whether others accept you. Still you will find that God will use you to bring many of those others to him, and that he will be Glorified in you, and that none of your labor will have been in vain. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 6-8, Acts 7
Monday’s Reading will be: I Samuel 9-10, Acts 8

The Comforting Hand of God

Today's verse is Psalm 23:4
     Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
      I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
      Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

There is no doubt today that we all “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” yet who is there that can also say, “I will fear no evil?” Our God is sending a message to the whole world. Are they even listening? Yet as the latter part of this verse implies, he has another message for those that are his. That message is:
    Here is the way, walk ye in it.
    Don’t go there, stay away from that,
    Do this instead.
Will you listen? Will you follow his promptings? The choice is always yours, but as you are his, he will always be with you and will never leave nor forsake you. Amen

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 3-5, Psalm 23, Acts 6
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 6-8, Acts 7

A God That Delivers From Lairs

Today's verse is Psalm 120:1
     In my distress I cried unto the LORD,
      And he heard me.

It is without a doubt that we are in a time of distress. It is also without a doubt that in this time, even leading up to this time, we have had liars, all trying to convince us of their lies, to their own profit. Any lie destroys, Our Lord Jesus told us that the truth will make us free, but throughout scripture, lies lead to destruction. But we have a God that is truth, a God that cannot lie, and a God that will lead all that trust him to the truth, and as we search the Scriptures, his Word, we will find that he has revealed how to detect what the lies are, that we believe them not, and as the psalmist here declares, as we cry out in our distress, our God will hear, and if God hears, we can be confident that he will deliver. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: I Samuel 1-2, Psalm 120, Acts 5
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 3-5, Psalm 23, Acts 6

To Rest, And Not Fret

Today's verse is Psalm 37:7
     Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:
      Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
      Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

I confess, that there are those that as I see them make accusation of another, which for all I can tell is innocent, while they are all guilty of the same charges, go about as if they themselves are innocent. And my blood boils, for I want to see them get their just due. Well, here in the verse above is God’s answer to my desire. I, even We, can rest in the Lord our God, for though such may seem to flourish today, they will not continue to do so, but they will receive in due course all that they are bringing upon themselves, by a Righteous, and Holy, and Terrible God. So in this day when the wicked seem to run rampant, let us look to our God, and rest in his promises, for truly he will deliver his own from trouble while at the same time bring his full judgment to those that deny him, to their own destruction. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ruth 3-4, Psalm 37,Acts 4
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: I Samuel 1-2, Psalm 120, Acts 5

God's Purpose For Elimelech

Today's Verse is Ruth 1:4
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 

Why did Elimelech and his family go to Moab, was it just to escape the famine? Actually, no. That was just the motivation that God gave to Elimelech, for his family truly had been given the task of fetching Ruth, and bringing her to Israel, to marry Boaz, that that couple may be a part of the line of Christ. True, it was a costly task, but yet, so was the one that Jesus took upon himself, when he offered himself up unto God, for the remission of our sins. So what is the task the Lord God of heaven has given you? You can be sure that there is one. Do you know what it is? If you keep your eyes upon the true God, and keep your trust in him, he will surely show you in due time. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Ruth 1-2, Acts 3
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Ruth 3-4, Psalm 37,Acts 4

Good Friday

Today's Verse is Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Today, we observe the darkest day to have ever happened, yet coupled with what is now known as Easter, is the two most important days to ever have existed. Easter, without the Crucifixion, could not happen. Yet, the Crucifixion without Easter, would have been meaningless.  The Crucifixion, happened because the whole world, including you and I, rejected God, and killed him. Yet, on the Third Day, God turned this rejection, into the basis for which he will accept us. If we accept what he did on this day, as our payment to God for our Sins, he will accept us as he accepts his Son, but if we continue to reject him, or if we try to gain acceptance in any other way, he will lay upon us the full guilt of what happen on that day. So what is your choice this day? Will you continue to reject God, and be guilty of his blood, or will you accept his gift, allowing Christ to have taken your place, and to have been judged as if he had been you? Selah [think about this] Amen.


To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan:  Judges 19-21, Acts 2
Monday’s Reading will be: Ruth 1-2, Acts 3

The Reward Of Trusting God

Today's verse is Psalm 21:7
     For the king trusteth in the LORD,
      And through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

We have a God that can be trusted, even should be trusted, no matter what we might perceive happening about us. For we do not know what God is doing, and what he will bring forth. But if we do not trust him even in the darkest of times, we may, probably will, destroy the surprise that the Loving God had prepared for us. So whether all things appear to be going wrong, and even when all things appear to be going right, Trust in the Lord God, who created all that is; in Heaven and in Earth, and as the King, even David, testified here, ye shall not be moved, but you will stand his presence, as one of his own Children. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Judges 19-21, Acts 2

Remembered Mysteries

Today's verse is Luke 24:8
And they remembered his words, 

As mentioned yesterday, There will be times when the work God has done will be indisputable, and unmistakable, for anything else. Yet, God’s greatest work is subtle, even hidden from all that do not wish to know of it. Yet those that seek to know him, as they search the Scriptures, they will find the greatest gem. They will find that Jesus Christ, Yea, God himself hath taken their place, and paid the price for their sins, and that because of this they have the right to boldly come before God and even stand in his presence, where all others will find themselves prostrate before him. Selah [Think about this] Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 12-16, Psalm 146, Luke 24
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1

A Reason For The Trouble

Today's verse is Psalm 17:15
     As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness:
      I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

We all have the occasion to cry out, “Why me?” and this in not a singular thing. That is we will often have reason to give such a complaint. Now, if we in such times, and every time in between, choose to trust God, choose to continually seek his face, the verse above will be the answer to our question. All that God sends our way will be for the singular purpose of molding us into his image, that all might behold God through us, and that we might truly enjoy his presence in true satisfaction. (Which is to say, It will all be worth it.) Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 9-11, Psalm 17, Luke 23
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Judges 12-16, Psalm 146, Luke 24

No Doubt Left

Today's verse is Judges 7:2
And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 

Earlier, in the book of Judges, God delivered Israel with a troop on ten thousand, yet here, Gideon had gathered thirty-two thousand, which was too much, even ten thousand was too much. There will be times when God wishes all to know that it was he that did the thing, that none can question, so he will bring about the circumstances, so that when the thing that God said he would do, no one can question that it was God that did it. The world today is at its knees, will it remember the God that can save them, or forget him, rather ignore him, till he destroys them. The choice is really up to you. Will you repent and turn to God, seeking his face, or will you continue upon the path of destruction set before you? What will you choose? Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 7-8, Luke 22
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Judges 9-11, Psalm 17, Luke 23

The Sure Word

Today's verse is Luke 21:36
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

We are now in a time of great turmoil, and we do not know when it will end. Yet, if we understand scripture, we know that this is nothing compared to what will be when God will bring his full judgment upon the earth. Yet, again, amidst all of this, or even all of what is to come, one thing is still, and shall still be, sure, for even as the world is falling apart about us, God’s Word can still be relied upon, and trusted, and followed, and obeyed. From it we can understand all that is happening about us. In it we can find the way to safety, and from it we can learn the way of salvation, both from the present trouble as well as from the curse of our sin. So let us not delay, but embrace its teaching, and trust in the God who gave it to us, whatever the cost; Then shall we stand with him in the end. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 4-6, Luke 21
Monday’s Reading will be: Judges 7-8, Luke 22

The Right Focus

Today's verse is Psalm 16:8
     I have set the LORD always before me:
      Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved

Whatever we may face, whatever may come our way, all that is, and all that will be, nothing compares to the Lord our God. Keep him as your focus, let not storms or troubles, nor abundant blessing cause you to lose sight of him, and as David testifies here, God shall be your right hand, and nothing shall move you from God’s purpose for you, nor shall you as Peter sink into your troubles, and you will not be turned either to the left or to the right. You shall stand in a firm place, a solid rock, and the work God does though you shall stand the test of time and eternity. Selah [Think about this]. Amen.

To God be the Glory
Scott

Taken from my daily reading plan: Judges 1-3, Psalm 16, Luke 20
Tomorrow’s Reading will be: Judges 4-6, Luke 21