faith – Page 5 – Seek Grow Love

Still Fighting Giants

-Devotion by Melissa New (AR)

This passage surprised me the last time I read it. We all know the account of young David fighting the giant, Goliath. But we don’t always notice that David was still fighting giants late in life. There were other giants in Gath besides Goliath, and it’s not hard to imagine that some of them remembered what David had done.

David is older and has been king a long time. He has fought many battles. And he’s seen so many things; victory, failure, betrayal, grief, and mercy. But even near the end of his life, the giants are still coming.

In 2 Samuel 21, David and his servants are fighting the Philistines “once again.” One of the descendants of the giants, Ishbi-Benob, sees his chance and thinks he can kill the king. We know he is a giant because he’s a descendant of Rapha, and the Scripture tells us his bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels (quite heavy for just a spearhead). He is also armed with a new sword. Ishbi-Benob appears battle-ready and dangerous.

During the battle, David became exhausted. But Abishai comes to David’s aid and strikes the giant down. Abishai is the brother of Joab and also one of David’s nephews. David is still David, but he’s not as strong as he once was. The man who once stood alone before Goliath now needs someone else to step in and help him.

There are seasons when God gives us strength to stand and fight. There are also seasons when God sends someone else to stand beside us because our strength is almost gone. David had once been the young man delivering Israel from a giant. Now another man is delivering David.

After this, David’s men tell him that he should no longer go out with them to battle, “so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” They aren’t dishonoring him. They are protecting him. The king of Israel would be a target for any enemy, but you wouldn’t want to see the king who came to prominence by defeating a giant meet his end at the hands of a giant either.

It can be hard for us as we get older to realize that we aren’t as strong as we once were. There is wisdom in seeing where others are more able. Sometimes faithfulness means letting others help. The battles will still come up, but our role in the battle changes.

The chapter tells us that “in the course of time” another giant needed to be defeated. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed the next giant, Saph. Sibbecai is named as one of David’s commanders who led 24,000 Israelite men in 1 Chronicles 27:11.

Then there is another battle at Gob. In this battle, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. This was an unusually large and heavy weapon. (In 1 Chronicles 20:5 the giant fought here is described as being Goliath’s brother, Lahmi.) Elhanan was probably another of David’s elite fighting men, very likely one of the Thirty mentioned in 2 Samuel 23.

Then there is another battle in Gath where a giant with “six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot” is fought. Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, killed this unnamed giant who was also a descendant of Rapha in Gath.

In seven short verses we see four more giant encounters! David went out with his men to fight Ishbi-Benob and the Philistines, but his men convinced him that they can handle the giants now.

What a legacy that David is able to see for himself! David showed his men how to have the courage and faith to defeat Israel’s enemies. He had men under him who were also capable of killing giants. Some were part of his mighty men and some were his very own nephews.

This is definitely a victory in David’s life. He did not just defeat a giant. He helped raise up men who could keep fighting when more giants came. We often think that one great victory will settle everything. We think if we defeat one giant, we should be done with giants. But life does not usually work that way.

Life is full of battles, unfortunately. Jesus told us we would have trouble. (John 16:33) There are battles we thought we had already settled and won, but they come back up. There are battles that come when we are tired. There are battles that come when we are wounded. There are battles that come when we may need others around us to step up and help us get through it. (It is good to have “mighty men” and faithful family nearby. And they don’t have to be blood-related. Our church family is so important!)

David’s story reminds us that faith is not proven only in one dramatic moment. Faith must keep trusting God after the famous victory is over and when we don’t feel as strong as we want to feel.

In 2 Samuel 22, David sings.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” He ends the song with, “The LORD lives! Praise be to my rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47)

Let’s not forget to sing and praise God for what He does for us either! All the “giants” or “battles” we find ourselves up against are another opportunity for God to show how very faithful and good He is.

We want to be like David; a leader who surrounded himself with faithful men who could help and advise him in times of need. But we want to be like David’s mighty men and nephews too. Do you know of someone who could use help in their battle? Maybe God has placed us near them for that very reason.

Reflection Questions

Do we acknowledge that we will face many battles and also prepare ourselves for them?

Do we let others help us when don’t feel strong enough to get through it on our own?

Are we training our children and younger family members to walk with God, so that one day they can help strengthen us and others when battles come?

Do we pay attention to the needs of others and help them with their battles too?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – I praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness. I am thankful that You are a God of strength and might and You do not grow tired and weary. Show me where and when I would be wise and faithful to offer and give aid and also where and when I ought to accept or ask for help. Help me be strong and wise for every task You are preparing for me to do, and also know what is the job for another. Help me intentionally and effectively raise up workers for Your kingdom. In Your Son’s name I pray.

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The Temple of God

2 Samuel 17-18

Psalm 56

*1 Corinthians 3

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

In today’s 1 Corinthian 3 reading, there is a beautiful imagery and phrasing that really helps to understand many things. There was a devotion recently about “The Temple” (March 28) that gave some interesting facts about the importance of the Temple to the Jews, and some historical information that helped give context to some scriptures, but it didn’t really talk much about the layout and function of the temple itself. Today, we’ll partially correct that (with the understanding that due to brevity and space limitations, we’ll probably not ever get a full and deep understanding without branching off and digging vigorously).

So as far as the Temple, here’s how it was laid out. The whole complex in it’s entirety was about 500 x 500 cubits (that’d be about 750′ or 229(ish) meters per side) encompassed by a stone wall and then separated into distinct “courts” by a stone retaining wall (called the “soreg”). This fence separated the sacred inner areas from the Court of the Gentiles, beyond which Gentiles and the ceremonially unclean were forbidden to enter. Inside the soreg, the layout progressed through increasingly sacred zones: the Court of the Women: (the outermost court accessible to Jewish worshippers, featuring four corner chambers for storage and ritual purification). Then the Court of the Israelites: (a strip for men, separated from the priests’ area by slats, containing the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Laver for ritual washing). Then the Court of the Priests: (the innermost courtyard where priests conducted sacrifices, containing the Hall of the Priests and the Chamber of the Hearth).

The temple building itself, known as the Hekal, sat at the western end of the complex and consisted of the Vestibule, the Holy Place (housing the Menorah, Table of Showbread, and Altar of Incense), and the Holy of Holies (or, the Sanctuary). Unlike the First Temple, the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple was empty of the Ark of the Covenant, containing only the exposed foundation stone, and was separated from the Holy Place by two curtains rather than a solid wall (those were the curtains that were torn from top to bottom when Jesus was crucified, and were about 30′ tall). Whenever God’s presence was in the Temple, He was always in the Sanctuary or “Holy of Holies”. That was a long way to go to get here, but the point I was working at is: God was in the Sanctuary (the Holy of Holies), which was separated in layers going from the most sacred (closest to God) and working out to the least sacred (furthest from God).

In our reading of 1 Corinthians 3 today, after being told to make sure that our foundation in building is Jesus, the Christ, Paul goes on to say (in 1 Cor 3:16): “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (NASB). The translation here doesn’t do it justice, because the literal translation would read “that part of the temple where God himself resides”: the sanctuary, or “Holy of Holies”. Think about that for a moment, and then allow me a moment to wax poetically.

When God removed the temple, he replaced the temple of stone with a temple of flesh. YOUR flesh, if you are submitting to God’s authority. I speak often of “letting God sit on the throne of your heart” and this gives it an entirely new and deeper meaning to me, if I am the Sanctuary of God: of course he should, because that’s where God lives when he comes to the temple. WE are the temple.

In 1^st Peter 2:4-5 we are described as “living stones” being formed into a spiritual house (or, temple). This tracks perfectly with what Paul is telling us here. To take that a little further, when we go through trials and tests, that is God smoothing the edges of His stones so they’ll fit better. Whenever we are tested in the fire, that is the kiln of God, strengthening us to make His temple stronger. We are just pieces of the master building that God is currently constructing, of which Jesus is the cornerstone, and the spirit of God is dwelling in each of us. When it is completed, and joined together and solid, imagine what a beautiful temple God will have.

There are some warnings and considerations though, think it through. God is a master builder, He will try to smooth our edges so we fit in properly, and strengthen us in the kiln, but if we are not fit to build with structurally we will be discarded. Good builders don’t use sub par materials, it puts the whole structure at risk. This is clearly told to us in the parable of the vine in John 15 where the vines that do not bear fruit are thrown into the fire and burned up.

If we allow God to sit in the Sanctuary of our heart, and His spirit to dwell within us, we will be found worthy, strong and able to bear a load. With God leading us, we will endure and persevere as the rough edges are smoothed and we are chiselled into the shape of His desiring. With the spirit of God dwelling inside us, the heat of the furnace will only strengthen us. If the Lord wills it, we will at the end of days be found to be pleasing and strong stones, built and mortared firmly together as a dwelling place for the Most High God, and built upon the strong cornerstone of His anointed king, Yeshua (Jesus). The imagery is so beautiful to me, I pray that I may not be found wanting and that I may honor the unwarranted favor which I’ve been shown. I pray the same for you.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Did you ever understand that when we had trials, God was shaping us? (See James 1:2-4)

What rough edges do you have left to smooth?

What particular fires are you going through now that will strengthen you?

How can we all grow stronger, and more suited to become the Temple that God desires?

PRAYER

Father God, break me, mold me, form me, fill me. Help me to become the thing which You wish me to be, to become a servant who is pleasing to You, and to fully submit to and appreciate the efforts and purpose to which I am being formed. Please grant me your wisdom and strength, so that the fires of life do not break me, but strengthen me. Forgive me when I fail you, and please teach me to be better at doing Your will. Thank you for everything You have done for me, may the lips of all of Your creation offer You praise. In Jesus name, Amen.

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A First Century Jew

2 Samuel 9-10

Psalm 54

*Romans 15

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

I really like Paul, he just strikes me as the kind of guy who has what they used to call “grit”; he’s feisty, and blunt to the point of offensive at times. When he’s writing the book of Romans (@ 56 AD, give or take a couple years) it seems like he’s writing to folks he hadn’t actually met yet (Rom 1:8-15) but considers fellow believers, is praying for them, and hopes to visit them soon (he’s arrested in Jerusalem before that can happen). This letter was most likely written from Corinth, around the time of his 3^rd missionary voyage.

Paul was a “Jew’s Jew” (Phil 3:5, it actually reads “Hebrew’s Hebrew”), the guy was fiercely zealous for God and initially saw believers in Christ as a threat to Judaism (see activities just prior to his conversion: Acts 7:57-8:3, Phil 3:4-6, and Gal 1:13-14), but after he is converted he brings that same feisty zeal to the service of the Christ. He was a Pharisee (1 of the 4 Jewish “philosophies”, more on that later), a student of Gamaliel (a renowned rabbi), a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, and a Roman citizen (he was born in Tarsus, a city in the province of Cilicia that held the status of a “free city” within the Roman Empire, which granted legal Roman citizenship).

I was very surprised (and amazed) that some modern day “apologists” on YouTube have recently begun to claim that Paul espoused doctrines that weren’t even existant until the 4^th century. Here’s the thing: Paul was a Jew, not just that but a “Jew’s Jew”, and ALL of the Jewish people (since the time of the return from the Babylonian captivity) have been FIERCELY monotheistic. According to Sir Anthony Buzzard, to even begin to comprehend scripture properly it must be examined through the lens of a 1^st century Jew. I agree. Saying anything different is just not doing your homework, and stating that a 1^st century Jew such as Paul believed in a speculation that didn’t even exist in any form until the 4^th century is clearly an anachronism (and a prime example of ‘confirmation bias’, and shoddy homework).

We can see Paul’s theology in the first chapter of Romans, it’s very clear, as it is in most of his letters. In Romans 1:1-4 he refers to the promises of God made in advance through His prophets about The Messiah (or Christ) as being a Jewish man descended from David genealogically, and designated as the son of God in power (Gen 3:15, Deut 18:18, 2 Sam 7 to name just a few of those prophecies). Romans 1:7 states “…Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the **Lord Jesus Christ.”, as he does similarly in most of his letters, showing a clear delineation in Paul’s thinking between the two. Paul did have a radical change in thinking, but it was from the Pharisee’s view of “the messiah is yet to come” to his post vision understanding that “The Messiah has come, this man Jesus who was a descendant of David.” (not any of the later speculations from the 4^th century). **=Please note that the translation “Lord” here in “Lord Jesus Christ” is accurately “my lord“ (no caps) and not “THE LORD” (all caps), and every time you read “Christ” in scripture it is the title of a man whom God has anointed as King (and not somebody’s last name). “THE LORD” (all caps) is a later textual corruption done with good intentions (and bad results), mistranslating the name of God (which occurs about 7000 times in the old testament as “YHVH” or “YHWH”).

If Paul had somehow, against all logic and reason, ever changed his fiercely monotheistic Jewish understanding of God there would have been a VERY clear and direct dissertation on it to at least one of his many churches, more realistically a whole lot of dissertations to all of them; Paul wasn’t what I’d call a “subtle” guy, he was very direct. We would have entire books devoted to explain this new “doctrine”, and that just never happened. Quite the opposite. The only real doctrinal controversy Paul ever chimes in on is “should the gentiles be circumcised“ (he says not). Paul was probably, however, the single greatest (human) force in bringing the gospel that was delivered originally exclusively to Jews (by Jesus and then his apostles) over to the gentiles. In our reading today in Rom 15:16, we can see Paul (despite being a devout Jew himself) has now self-identified as a minister of the Messiah Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jewish folks), a priest to them.

Even when he is ministering to the Gentiles, though, he constantly refers to the scriptures that the Jews were familiar with at the time: what we call the Old Testament. These were just the scriptures that a first century Jew had available, and the vast majority of the intended audience at this point were also first century Jews (keep in mind the New Testament wasn’t compiled in it’s entirety until later); numerically there were just fewer gentiles at this point in the development of Christianity than there were Jews, and they had a much clearer and simpler understanding of these scriptures. The later believers’ “complex” problems were of their own devising, and didn’t occur until after the (then numerically superior) gentiles brought their mythology and speculation in to the church around the 4^th century. We see clearly in todays reading Paul’s reliance upon and belief in the ancient Jewish scriptures in the Old Testament.

In Romans 15, Paul quotes Jewish scripture (that’s the Old Testament to you gentiles) 4 times in this one chapter, with the intention of unifying “God’s people” (the Jews) and Gentiles (we who were “grafted on”). In v9 he (Paul) quotes 2 Samuel 22:50 (or Psalm 18:49), where David rejoices that God has mercy on the Gentiles. In v10 he quotes Deuteronomy 32:43, urging the Gentiles to rejoice with God’s people. In v11 he quotes Psalm 117:1, calling all nations to praise the Lord, and in v12 he quotes Isaiah 11:10, describing the root of Jesse who will rise to reign over the Gentiles, in whom they will hope. His whole point here in chapter 15 is to encourage the Jews and the Gentiles to “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7, LSB). I honestly don’t doctrinally agree with most of the mainstream Christian folks out there right now, but I do try to accept them as brothers (and sisters) in Christ, because after all who am I to judge the servant of another (Rom 14:4)?

I’ve heard a lot of folks take the stance that the Old Testament doesn’t matter, because that was for the Jews and we are “Christians”, and I disagree (in love). The New Testament didn’t in any way negate the Old Testament, it just clarifies it; all together it is just one long and unbroken story of the love that God has for His creation, and the overwhelmingly beautiful character of our God. Jesus, the servant of God (Acts 3:13), quoted extensively from the Old Testament. Paul, the servant of Jesus, who was the servant of God, quoted extensively from the Old Testament. We, who strive to be grafted on to the branch of God’s people (the Jew’s), by right of belief in the “root of Jesse who will rise to reign over the Gentiles” (the son of David: Yeshua, Jesus), should humbly acknowledge that the branches die without the root.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Do you read the Old Testament or the New Testament more often, and why?
Have you ever allowed doctrinal differences to cause you to view any of your brothers or sisters in Christ in a negative light? Why?
Have you ever allowed doctrinal differences to cause you to view any of your fellow Children of the Book (Jews and Muslims) in a negative light? Why?
Do you think that what you believe or how you behave is more important in terms of your entry into God’s kingdom, and why?

PRAYER

Father God, Creator and Sustainer of all life, thank you for my life. Please lead me, and allow me to humbly be a servant who pleases my master. Teach me wisdom, Father, and whisper in my ear. Help me to seek the old ways, and to know the truth about You. Please grant me Your spirit so that I can love my fellow creation and faithfully follow the instructions of my King, the one whom You sent for us. Father God, have mercy upon me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Prophecies of the Messiah

*2 Samuel 7-8

Psalm 54

Romans 14

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

Today’s reading in 2 Sam 7 is one of the most critical prophecies in scripture to understand, if you want to understand about the nature of Jesus, and also get a glimpse into the character of God. This is one of the clearest passages of scripture that is written about the requirements of The Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ or “Ha Meshiach” in Hebrew, which is where we get the term). When the ancient Jews were told about The Messiah, this is one of the “go to” scriptures that lists and explains what the expectations should be. Always go to the “original sources” when you are trying to understand something, and this is one of the best original sources about the Messiah that there are in scripture. Victor Gluckin has an amazing series on Restitutio.org in the form of podcasts on this that’s better than anything that I could ever do, search for “Victor Gluckin, Restitutio, Son of David” and listen.

As we start to read in 2 Sam 7:1-11, a lot of the character of David and then God is revealed. David says to Nathan (a prophet), “Hey I live in a nice house here, but God’s in a tent. I should build Him a nice house too”. Nathan replies, “Sure, do it.”, but then God talks to Nathan and tells him to go back to David and tell him “Oh, you think you’re going to build ME a house? Nah man, I’m going to build YOU a house.” (this is all obviously and painfully paraphrased, but read the scripture, the gist is true). What we see from this is that God is a rewarder of those who seek to please Him, and that David was trying to please Him. This is important background to know going in to the next section of scripture, where the meat of the prophecy is. This is a direct response by God to his servant, David

First though, know that each one of the gospels (and really the rest of the NT as well) was written for the express purpose of explaining that Jesus (יֵשׁוּעַ ) of Nazareth was this prophesied Messiah(Or, Christ. Messiah=Christ=”Anointed One”, they all mean the same thing: Christ is not a last name, it is a title of authority). This is detailed in each of their thesis statements (Matt 1:1, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:30-32, John 20:31). Jesus himself explains to the samaritan woman that he is, in fact, the Messiah that has been foretold (John 4:25), and commends Peter for getting the correct answer in Matt 16:15 when he asks “but who do you say that I am?”. He is the Christ, the Messiah. Every time you see “Christ” in the new testament, it is a confirmation that Jesus of Nazareth is The Christ (Greek for “anointed one”), or, The Messiah (Hebrew for “anointed one”): they mean the same thing: the man anointed to be king. What does that mean, though?

THE CRITERIA OF THE MESSIAH (or, Christ). These are requirements, these MUST all be fullfilled in order to claim the title of The Christ

REQUIREMENT 1– (2 Sam 7:12-13)- “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, ***I will raise up one of your seed after you, who will come forth from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kindgom forever.”(LSB). The Messiah MUST BE a human descendant of David, there is not an option for a different understanding because this is the promise God made to David (and God always, always, always keeps His promises).

REQUIREMENT 2– (2 Sam 7:14-15)- “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will reprove him…but My lovingkindness shall not be removed from him…” (LSB) The Messiah MUST BE the son of God. Keep in mind that scripturally, the “sons of God” could refer to heavenly beings (Gen 6:2, Job 1:6, Ps 89:6) and that the term is also used metaphorically to refer to humans or groups that have a special relationship with God (as in Ex 4:22 , Ps 82:6, or Mal 2:10). In the instance of Jesus of Nazareth, both the literal and metaphoric explanations could be fully applied (because of his miraculous conception, but either would have been sufficient to fulfill this prophecy).

REQUIREMENT 3– 2 Sam 7:16: “And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” To be The Christ you MUST establish a kingdom that will endure forever. We as Christians believe that when Jesus returns, this requirement will be fulfilled. In Jesus’ day, his disciples asked “So, uh, is this when you’re going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6, paraphrased). He explains to them “I don’t get to pick that, only God knows when that’s going to happen” (Acts 1:7, also paraphrased: See also Matt 24:36). We believe that when Jesus ascended and was sat at the right hand of God, this was our clear indication that our King had been chosen by God for this future kingdom, which we all strive to enter and be a citizen of as our core desire and primary reward. We know that even though this hasn’t been completely fulfilled yet that God always, always, always keeps his promises, and we see many clear prophecies and sermons about this kingdom which will be established on the earth.

***NOTE: This is actually an example of “progressive revelation” about the Messiah: Gen 3:15 states the “seed of the woman” will crush the serpent (a human), Deut 18:18 says God will “raise up one of your brothers from among you” (speaking to the Israelites, so now we have an Israelite human), and then 2 Sam 7:12-13 clearly shows it will be a descendant of David so the progressive revelation reveals that the Messiah will be (in order): (1)Human, (2)Israelite Human, (3)Israelite Human of David’s genealogical line. Note that in progressive revelation the base information never actually changes, it is simply clarified. This is important, so pay close attention here: you can’t just make something up new and call it progressive revelation. When you make up something new and add it to scripture, that’s called fabrication and it’s something else entirely.

So why does this matter? Firstly, we need to know that our gracious, merciful, and loving God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. While God certainly didn’t need David to build Him a nicer house (See Psalms 24:1), He respected and reciprocated the intent to please Him. We need to believe that there is a God, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently (Heb 11:6). Secondly, men are not only confusing but confused. If someone is teaching you any doctrine that opposes what the scripture clearly says, this scripture, stop listening to them and go back to the original source; even if a majority of people say you’re wrong, because God is greater than man. It’s important for you to understand the scriptures you read, just as it’s important for you to submit yourself to God and receive the holy spirit, because God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). He will find you, if you seek in spirit and truth!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Did you ever really give deep, serious thought to what “Jesus (the) Christ” actually meant? Do you feel as if this scripture helped clarify some?
Do you think a working knowledge of the Old Testament is relevant to you as a Christian? Why, or why not?
Are you trying your absolute hardest to please God, or are you more focused on pleasing yourself? Why? What is your expected outcome for either?
What does is say of God’s character, that when we try to please Him he repays us a thousandfold, as seen in this scripture today?
Why do you think God gives us such an abundance of prophecy in the scriptures? Discuss.

PRAYER

Father God, Creator of all things, thank you so much for telling us of the things which are to come. Purify us so that we can be holy. Please teach us your ways, grant us wisdom, and help our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Help us to circumcise our hearts and walk humbly before you, and to do the things that please you. Thank you Father, most of all, for sending us the Christ. Please grant that we may listen to all that he has spoken, and obey in truth and spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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Roots & Grafts

2 Samuel 1-2

Psalm 52

Romans 11

-Devotion by Sarah Johnson (MN)

I have personally never practiced tree grafting. I did a quick online search to better understand the process, where I learned a few things. Although the process is not very labor intensive, it requires a lot of precision and time before there is any success. Those branches tend to be very easily torn away from the root when disruption occurs, or just reject the graft and die out. Grafting is known in many circles of horticulture as a science and an art.

When considering this metaphor, it highlights to me the real validity to Paul’s warning to us Gentiles in verse 20. We have been grafted into an amazing promise, but we aren’t naturally connected to the root. This should cause us to tremble! Indeed, we know nothing can separate us from the love of God, but we also know our own rejection of the root will certainly cause us to lose our life source. We need to take a moment to understand that God’s kindness will continue, provided we continue in His kindness (v. 22).

What would it look like to reject the root we have been grafted into? It could be rejecting the truth of Jesus Christ, by denying him as the Messiah. It could look like ignoring the expectations we have for humbling ourselves, or not confessing and turning away from sin. It could also look like attempting to keep ourselves connected by our own hand, thinking we can create our own life source out of “doing good”, ultimately rejecting grace (v.6). David writes with similar imagery in Psalm 52:3-7, describing the man who trusted himself rather than making God his stronghold, and as a result, was uprooted! In all of these things, our own actions are the common denominator. No, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. And yet, we must cling to the life-giving root in order to be saved.

More than that, we should be rooting for others (pun only slightly intended) to also cling to the same source of life we are! Our God has the desire to graft ALL in – the root is not going anywhere, and all are welcome, but they must accept the source.

I learned something else in my searches on tree grafting… a failed graft can be redone until it’s completely dead. It may take extra time and attention, some readjusting, pruning, and reconnecting, but it can be done and still become a successful branch that bears fruit! Failures in our faith walk can often be corrected, and we have an incredibly patient and merciful God who loves to give second (and third, or fourth) chances. To Him be the glory forever!

Reflection Questions

Have you had moments where you have experienced being “re-grafted” back to the root? How have those experiences shaped and changed how you grow today?
Why do you think some people may reject the “root”? What way could you share the gospel with them that would be more impactful?

Prayer:

Dear God, I praise You for the life You give and for Your wisdom and knowledge which are so far beyond my own. Help me not be blind to You, Your purpose, Your kindness, as well as Your severity. Help me see Your ways and walk in them always, guiding others also to come to You to be miraculously grafted into Your life-giving way through Your Son.

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Fully Persuaded

I Samuel 17-18

Psalm 49

Romans 4

-Devotion by Rachel Cain (OH)

An Italian Proverb states, “Hope is the last thing ever lost.”

As long as there is hope, we can muster up the strength to endure. But the loss of hope is perhaps the deadliest possible wound to our soul.

Our New Testament scripture says that “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…”

Even though it seemed impossible and it didn’t make sense, “…yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

This word for hope, elpis in Greek, isn’t a superficial or flippant word like we might tease, “I hope a money tree starts growing in my yard” or “I hope all my favorite teams win the championships while I’m in the front row of every game.” This word elpis indicates true confidence and real expectation, without a doubt in one’s mind. How often do we possess that kind of hope?!

David’s faith in God did not waver when confronted with the Philistine giant, and Abraham’s faith did not waver even though there was no humanly way God’s promise could come true. How awesome that we serve a God not bound by the limits of humanity! Abraham’s belief and hope in God’s promises caused him to be “strengthened in his faith and [give] glory to God” rather than discouraged and straying from the faith.

I want to have a belief against all hope! I pray that we will not waver even when God’s way doesn’t make sense, because His way is higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and He is able to do more than we could even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Because of Abraham’s faith and hope, it was credited to him as righteousness (v. 22) – and the next verse indicates that the same righteousness extends to us, if we also choose Jesus!

We as believers must remain focused on our ultimate hope, the return of Jesus and eternal life in the Kingdom. Keep hoping beyond hope. Keep praying. Keep the faith. God is still all powerful! May it be said of us as it was of Abraham: “and yet they did not waver!”

Reflection questions:

What would your life look like if you truly embraced the concept of elpis?

In what specific ways might God be calling you to believe against all hope?

Prayer:

Help us, Lord, to have a deep faith and hope that is beyond all human understanding. May we follow you even when it doesn’t make sense.

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Faith That Moves…or Fear That Rushes

1 Samuel 13-14

Psalm 48

Romans 2

-Devotion by Brian K Froehlich – posted on his facebook page on April 11, 2026, where he has been writing and sharing his thoughts as he is reading through the Bible chronologically this year.

There are moments in life where everything seems to hang in the balance. The pressure builds. The clock is ticking. The outcome feels uncertain. And in those moments, what we believe about God is revealed—not by what we say, but by what we do.

That is exactly where we find Saul and Jonathan in these chapters. Two men. Two responses. Two very different outcomes.

Let’s walk through the story together.

Saul has been made king. The people have what they asked for. But almost immediately, we see the tension. The Philistines are gathering. Their army is overwhelming—chariots, soldiers, numbers beyond counting. Meanwhile, Israel is afraid. People are hiding in caves, in holes, anywhere they can find safety.

And Saul is waiting.

He was told to wait for Samuel. Seven days. Wait for God’s instruction. Wait for the offering. Wait for the moment when God would act.

But waiting is hard when fear is loud.

The people are scattering. The pressure is rising. And Saul makes a decision: “Bring me the offering.”

He steps into a role that was not his. He offers the sacrifice himself.

And just as he finishes… Samuel arrives.

The timing is almost painful. If Saul had just waited a little longer.

Samuel’s words cut straight to the heart: “You have done a foolish thing.”

Not because Saul didn’t care. Not because he didn’t want victory. But because he did not trust God enough to wait.

There is a difference between acting in leadership and acting out of fear. Saul’s decision was not rooted in faith—it was rooted in panic.

And here is the lesson for us:

Impatience often looks like responsibility. It feels like we are doing something necessary. But if it steps outside of what God has said, it is not faith—it is fear in motion.

Saul explains himself. “The men were scattering… the Philistines were assembling… I felt compelled.”

“I felt compelled.”

How often do we make decisions based on what we feel in the moment instead of what we know to be true about God?

Saul had clear instruction. But pressure made him rewrite it.

And Samuel tells him something sobering: his kingdom will not endure. God is seeking a man after His own heart.

Now the story shifts.

If chapter 13 shows us fear-driven leadership, chapter 14 shows us faith in action.

Jonathan, Saul’s son, quietly tells his armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.”

Listen to that carefully.

“Perhaps the Lord will act.”

This is not doubt. This is humility. Jonathan is not presuming on God—but he is also not paralyzed by uncertainty.

He continues: “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

That is faith.

Faith is not having all the answers. Faith is knowing who God is, even when the outcome is unclear.

Jonathan doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He steps forward based on what he knows about God’s character.

And his armor-bearer responds with one of the most beautiful lines in Scripture: “Do all that you have in mind… I am with you heart and soul.”

Faith has a way of spreading. Courage invites courage.

Jonathan proposes a sign. If the Philistines call them up, they will go—trusting that God has given them victory.

And that is exactly what happens.

Two men climb up a cliff, exposed, vulnerable, outnumbered.

And God moves.

They strike down about twenty men. Panic spreads through the camp. The ground shakes. Confusion overtakes the enemy. What began as a small act of faith becomes a sweeping victory.

Here is the contrast:

Saul had the army, the position, the authority—and acted in fear.

Jonathan had none of those things—and acted in faith.

One rushed ahead without God.

The other stepped forward trusting God.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Saul, seeing the confusion in the Philistine camp, joins the battle. Victory is within reach. But then Saul makes another rash decision.

He puts the army under an oath: no one is to eat until evening, until he has avenged himself on his enemies.

Notice the wording—“until I have avenged myself.”

This is no longer about God’s victory. It has become personal.

The result? The army grows weak. They are exhausted. They cannot fully pursue the enemy.

Jonathan, who did not hear the oath, tastes some honey. His strength returns. And he says plainly, “My father has made trouble for the country.”

It is a powerful moment. The one who acted in faith sees clearly. The one who acted in fear continues to complicate the situation.

Later, the people are so famished that they begin to sin by eating meat with the blood still in it—something God had clearly forbidden.

Fear leads to impatience. Impatience leads to poor decisions. Poor decisions lead others into trouble.

And Saul almost puts Jonathan to death for breaking the oath—until the people intervene and save him.

So what do we take from all of this?

First, waiting on God is not weakness. It is trust. Saul’s failure was not a lack of action—it was a lack of trust in God’s timing.

Second, faith does not require certainty—it requires confidence in who God is. Jonathan did not know exactly what would happen, but he knew God was able.

Third, leadership that is driven by fear will always create burdens. Leadership that is grounded in faith will bring clarity and life.

And finally, small acts of faith can change everything.

Jonathan did not have a large army. He did not have a perfect plan. He simply stepped forward in trust.

And God used that.

There may be areas in life right now where the pressure feels overwhelming. Where the timing feels uncertain. Where the temptation is to act quickly just to relieve the tension.

But these chapters remind us:

Do not let fear make your decisions for you.

Wait when God says wait.

Move when faith calls you forward.

Trust that the God who saves “by many or by few” is still at work.

And remember—He is not limited by your resources, your position, or your circumstances.

He is looking for hearts that trust Him.

Reflection Questions

Brian wrote, “Impatience often looks like responsibility. It feels like we are doing something necessary. But if it steps outside of what God has said, it is not faith—it is fear in motion.” Can you think of a time when you were acting with fear in motion? What was the outcome? What might have been better?
“How often do we make decisions based on what we feel in the moment instead of what we know to be true about God?” What do you know to be true about God regardless of your feelings?
What can you do during the difficult waiting times?
What might God be calling you to do to move forward in faith? Is there another person who could help add courage and faith to this forward, God-honoring movement? Pray about it. Find out what God thinks.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, You are a God of power, righteousness, and perfect timing and direction. Help me wait well in waiting seasons and courageously move in faith to follow Your lead and help me know the difference. I confess the times my fear, impatience, and lack of faith have led me away from You and what You have said is best. Help me honor You in my waiting and in my moving.

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I Believe…God is King and He Appoints the King We Need (Part 2)

1 Samuel 11-12

Psalm 47

Romans 1

Today we are sharing the second half of Brian K Froehlich’s devotion on 1 Samuel 9-12 which he posted on his facebook page on April 11, 2026. Brian has faithfully been writing and sharing his thoughts as he reads through the Bible chronologically this year. Become his facebook friend and read along with his I Believe series.

1 Samuel 11 – A Real Victory

Saul leads Israel against the Ammonites (11:6–11).

God’s Spirit comes on him.

He unites the people.

He wins a decisive victory.

This is important.

Saul is not useless.

He is not a joke.

There is real success here.

And the people say:

“Now establish the kingdom in Saul’s hands!” (11:15)

It feels like everything is working.

But success does not always mean approval.

Sometimes God allows something to work

to show something deeper.

⸻

1 Samuel 12 – The Truth Comes Out

Samuel gathers the people and speaks plainly.

First, he asks:

“Have I wronged you?” (12:3)

They answer:

“No.”

Samuel has been faithful.

Then he reminds them:

God delivered you from Egypt.

God saved you again and again.

God raised up leaders when you cried out.

And yet…

“When you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.” (12:12)

There it is again.

God was already their King.

Their problem was not lack of leadership.

Their problem was lack of trust.

⸻

The Key Lesson from These Chapters

God says:

“They have rejected Me as their king.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

But what does God do?

He gives them a king anyway.

A man:

Saul

This is the pattern:

God is the King.

God appoints a human king.

That king rules under God.

That matches what God had already said:

“Be sure to appoint over you a king the LORD your God chooses.” (Deuteronomy 17:15)

The king is chosen by God.

The king is under God.

⸻

Why Saul Was Not Enough

Saul had:

• The look

• The opportunity

• The support

But he could not fix the real problem.

Because the real problem was not enemies.

It was sin.

It was the human heart.

⸻

Then Comes David

A better king.

“A man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

But even David fails.

So the Bible keeps pointing forward.

God promises:

“Your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16)

A future King is coming.

⸻

The One Who Could Do the Job

From David’s line comes:

Jesus Christ

And the Bible describes Him clearly:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

A man.

The right man.

⸻

He is:

• “A man accredited by God” (Acts 2:22)

• The one God raised (Acts 2:24)

• The one God made Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36)

And Jesus says:

“All authority… has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

Given.

Not taken.

⸻

How the Story Ends

Even at the end, Scripture says:

“He hands over the kingdom to God the Father.” (1 Corinthians 15:24)

God remains the King.

The Son rules under Him.

⸻

Bringing It All Together

1 Samuel 9–12 is not just about Saul.

It is about a pattern:

God is the King.

People struggle to trust Him.

God appoints a human ruler.

Saul wasn’t the one.

David wasn’t the one.

But God never stopped working.

⸻

The Final Truth

We trust and receive the man Christ Jesus

to lead our world back to God.

Not because He replaced God.

But because God chose Him.

Because He obeyed perfectly.

Because He overcame sin.

Because He was raised to life.

⸻

Saul couldn’t do it.

David couldn’t do it.

Jesus WAS the one for the job.

Jesus IS the one for the job.

Jesus WILL BE the one for the job.

Reflection Questions

What are your impressions of Samuel?
What does the Bible tell us about who Jesus is? What is his relationship with God? What is his relationship with man? What jobs has he already done, is doing now, and will do?

Prayer

Dear God, I praise You for Your perfect plan. You are the All Wise & All Powerful King deserving of my allegiance, love, and obedience. Thank you for the incredible gift of Your Son to draw us close to You, to mediate between God and man, to show us how to please You, to conquer sin, and destroy the enemy, to rule for a time and then hand Your kingdom back to his Father and God. I desire to be a faithful, loving, obedient subject of You and Your perfectly chosen & anointed Messiah. Please show me how to serve well.

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I Believe… God Is Not a Good Luck Charm

1 Samuel 7-8

Psalm 46

Acts 27

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL) – Brian has been writing devotions on his facebook page this year as he reads along with a chronological Bible reading plan. Great job sharing God’s Word, Brian! Today’s devotion covers 1 Samuel 4-8.

I believe God is not something we carry. He is Someone we follow.

And in 1 Samuel 4–8, Israel had to learn that the hard way.

In 1 Samuel 4, Israel goes into battle against the Philistines—and they lose.

Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” or “Are we right with God?” they ask, “What can we bring into battle next time?”

So they come up with a plan.

“Let’s bring the ark of the covenant.”

Not to worship. Not to repent. Not to seek God. Just… bring the box.

They treated the ark like a good luck charm.

When the ark shows up, Israel shouts so loudly the ground shakes. The Philistines hear it and panic: “God has come into the camp!”

But here’s the problem—God hadn’t.

They brought the symbol, but ignored the God behind it.

And the result? Israel loses again. Thirty thousand die. The ark is captured. Eli’s sons are killed. And a woman names her child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel.”

They had the object, but they lost the presence.

I believe this still happens today. People carry Bibles, wear crosses, sit in church pews—but they are not walking with God.

God is not a charm you carry. He is a King you follow.

In 1 Samuel 5–6, the Philistines take the ark and place it in the temple of their god Dagon.

The next morning, Dagon is face down before the ark.

They set him back up.

The next morning, he has fallen again—this time his head and hands are broken off.

God didn’t need Israel to defend Him. He handled it Himself.

Then tumors break out among the people. Panic spreads from city to city. They finally say, “Send it back!”

They put the ark on a cart with two cows and say, “If this goes back to Israel, we’ll know it was God.”

It goes straight back.

Because God does not need help proving He is God.

I believe we forget this. We argue like God is fragile. We panic like truth is losing.

God is not on trial. He is still on the throne.

Then in 1 Samuel 6, the ark returns to Israel. The people rejoice.

But then something sobering happens.

Some men look into the ark—and they die.

There is something in us that wants to look.

Even when we know we shouldn’t, we want to see.

It reminds me of what happened after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

When he died in 1865, his body was placed on a funeral train that traveled across the country. In city after city, thousands of people lined up. They waited for hours—sometimes all night—just for a few seconds to look at his face.

Not touch. Not speak. Just look.

But it didn’t stop there.

After he was buried, his body was moved multiple times. Reburied. Relocated for security. There was even an attempted grave robbery.

And over the years, his casket was opened again and again.

Not once. Not twice. Multiple times.

Each time—people looking. Checking. Confirming. Curious.

The last time was in 1901. More than 35 years after his death, they opened it again just to make sure he was still there.

A teenage boy named Fleetwood Lindley was allowed to step forward and look inside. He later said Lincoln’s face was still recognizable.

And that boy lived until 1963.

Think about that.

For nearly 100 years after Lincoln died, someone could still say, “I saw him.”

There is something deep in human nature that doesn’t just want to hear—we want to see for ourselves.

And that same instinct shows up in 1 Samuel.

The ark wasn’t just a box. It represented the presence of God.

And the people thought, “What’s inside? Let me just look. Just a quick peek.”

But God had already made it clear—this is not something you handle casually.

This is not something you open out of curiosity.

Because what starts as curiosity quickly becomes irreverence.

And irreverence in the presence of a holy God is deadly.

Not everything sacred is meant to be opened.

In 1 Samuel 7, the people finally ask the right question: “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?”

And Samuel gives the right answer: “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods.”

Repentance—not rituals.

They gather. They fast. They confess, “We have sinned against the Lord.”

And when the Philistines come again, this time God thunders from heaven and throws them into confusion.

Israel wins.

Samuel sets up a stone and calls it Ebenezer—“Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Notice the difference.

Before, they carried the ark into battle.

Now, they come to God in repentance.

Before, they tried to use God.

Now, they submit to Him.

And that changes everything.

I believe victory doesn’t come from having God near you. It comes from being right with Him.

Then in 1 Samuel 8, the people come to Samuel and say, “Give us a king.”

Why?

“So we can be like all the other nations.”

God tells Samuel, “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”

They didn’t want “no king.”

They wanted a king they could see. Control. Be like everyone else.

Samuel warns them—a king will take your sons, your daughters, your fields, your money.

And they say, “We still want a king.”

I believe this is still true.

People say they want freedom. They say they want no king. But they don’t.

They just want a king they can manage.

But God does not compete with other kings.

He calls you to surrender to Him.

I believe God is not a tool to use. God is not weak and in need of defense. God is holy—not casual. And God alone is worthy to be King.

So the question is not, “Do you have God with you?”

The question is: Are you with Him?

Because you can carry the ark and still lose the battle.

But if you return to Him with all your heart, you will find that He was never lost at all.

Reflection Questions

It’s hard to get the right answers when you ask the wrong questions. What wrong questions do people ask today? When have you found yourself asking the wrong questions? What are better questions to ask?
Is there a time when your lack of repentance got you into deeper trouble? What happens when you repent? Is there something you need to repent of right now?
What or who do you want to be the leader of your life? Do your actions andd attitudes agree with the answer you gave? What does submitting to God look like?
How has God helped you thus far? How will you remember these things?

Prayer

Dear God, You are a holy, righteous God, maker of heaven and earth, the only true God, the One who sits on the throne today with your Son at Your right hand. How amazing that the King of the Universe wants to have a relationship with me! Help me to not take You for granted, God, or treat You irreverently. Help me see clearly what I need to repent of, that I will repent, submit and be right with You.

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Sharing the Gospel

1 Samuel 5-6

Psalm 46

Acts 26

-Devotion by Kristy Cisneros (SC)

Today’s reading in 1 Samuel 5-6 is so thought-provoking. I can’t help but wonder, how could these people be directly confronted with the power of God and not be convinced to follow Him as the one true God and to forsake all other gods? They literally witnessed firsthand the terrifying wrath of God Almighty as they were plagued with tumors and their “god” Dagon was reduced to a beheaded and dismembered statue. In our modern times, it is truly mind-boggling to me that anyone can see the beauty and splendor of earth (the variety of flowers, trees, natural landscapes, etc.) and our amazing bodies (immune system, regeneration, etc.) and conclude it happened by mere explosive chance. It reminds me that we can’t take it personally when people don’t accept the gospel message in spite of our best efforts. We have to be faithful that God knows hearts and He can find a way to reach them if their hearts are open. Today’s reading in Acts 26 is such a great testimony to that concept. Paul testifies to King Agrippa about his actions toward Christians while he was a Pharisee:

⁹In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. ¹¹In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities. (CSBA)

God knew Paul’s heart and he used Jesus Christ to reach Paul. Paul had to literally be struck blind before he could finally “see” the light. We are wisely advised in Matthew 10:14 regarding what to do when others reject the gospel message we share:

14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

It’s also important to remember that we could be planting a seed that might bear fruit down the road because God will see to it that it comes to fruition based on that person’s heart. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 reminds us of this important point:

⁶I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. ⁹For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (ESV)

In the meantime, we must not give up as advised in Galatians 6:9:

⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (ESV)

When I signed up for today’s devotion, I did so specifically because Psalm 46 is one of my absolute favorite passages in the Bible; therefore, I can’t end this devotion without tying in this beloved chapter. This passage is a great reminder that when we encounter trouble in this world (including resistance to the gospel message), we can be comforted by verse 1 that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (ESV) Be obedient and share the gospel message, and then give it to God.

⁹The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress . (ESV)

Reflection Questions

What were some of Paul’s experiences in sharing the gospel message?
What have your experiences been in sharing the gospel message? Do you let the fear of, or past negative reactions keep you from trying?
What can you learn from Paul?
What makes God and His Son so worthy of sharing with others? What happens when we don’t?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the One True God – worthy of all praise and worship and worthy of our dedication to sharing the good news. I confess the times I have not taken advantage of all the opportunities You place before me to share what a great, worthy God You are. Help me be who You want me to be. Help me learn from Paul and boldly, with a heart of compassion and urgency, share with others who You are and what You and Your Son have done and will do. Thank You for opening and changing hearts and being the help I need today.

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