1 Samuel 29 , Bible Reading and Daily Devotionals

Max Lucado Daily: Take Jesus at His Word - July 27, 2022

“Then Jesus said, ‘Stand up. Pick up your mat and walk.’ And immediately the man was well; he picked up his mat and began to walk” (John 5:8-9 NCV).

I wish we would do that; I wish we would take Jesus at his word. What is this peculiar paralysis that confines us? This stubborn unwillingness to be helped or healed? When he says we’re forgiven, let’s unload the guilt. When he says we’re valuable, let’s believe him. When he says we’re eternal, let’s bury our fear. When he says we are provided for, let’s stop worrying. When he says, “Stand up,” let’s do it.

Is this your story? It can be. A gentle stranger has stepped into your hurting world and offered you a hand. Now it’s up to you to take it.

1 Samuel 29

 The Philistines mustered all their troops at Aphek. Meanwhile Israel had made camp at the spring at Jezreel. As the Philistine warlords marched forward by regiments and divisions, David and his men were bringing up the rear with Achish.

3 The Philistine officers said, “What business do these Hebrews have being here?”

Achish answered the officers, “Don’t you recognize David, ex-servant of King Saul of Israel? He’s been with me a long time. I’ve found nothing to be suspicious of, nothing to complain about, from the day he defected from Saul until now.”

4-5 Angry with Achish, the Philistine officers said, “Send this man back to where he came from. Let him stick to his normal duties. He’s not going into battle with us. He’d switch sides in the middle of the fight! What better chance to get back in favor with his master than by stabbing us in the back! Isn’t this the same David they celebrate at their parties, singing,

Saul kills by the thousand,
David by the ten thousand!”

6-7 So Achish had to send for David and tell him, “As God lives, you’ve been a trusty ally—excellent in all the ways you have worked with me, beyond reproach in the ways you have conducted yourself. But the warlords don’t see it that way. So it’s best that you leave peacefully, now. It’s not worth it, displeasing the Philistine warlords.”

8 “But what have I done?” said David. “Have you had a single cause for complaint from the day I joined up with you until now? Why can’t I fight against the enemies of my master the king?”

9-10 “I agree,” said Achish. “You’re a good man—as far as I’m concerned, God’s angel! But the Philistine officers were emphatic: ‘He’s not to go with us into battle.’ So get an early start, you and the men who came with you. As soon as you have light enough to travel, go.”

11 David rose early, he and his men, and by daybreak they were on their way back to Philistine country. The Philistines went on to Jezreel.

Our Daily Bread reading and devotion   
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Today's Scripture
Matthew 11:25–29

Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

27     Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

28–30     “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Insight

A yoke, a wooden harness that joins two animals (usually oxen), is meant to lighten their heavy burden. The prophet Jeremiah used the yoke as a metaphor for God’s laws (Jeremiah 5:5) and a symbol of political submission and enslavement (27:8). The Jewish rabbis later used this metaphor to mean obedience to the law. The Jews at the time of Jesus were enslaved by the heavy yoke of legalistic Judaism that their teachers of the law had strenuously piled on them (Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46; Acts 15:10). The Law of Moses was expanded into 613 detailed prohibitions and commands. And the Jews were to scrupulously observe the many requirements of “the traditions of the elders” (Mark 7:4–5). But Jesus’ “yoke is easy and [his] burden is light” because it’s rooted in who He is—“gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29–30). His commands aren’t “burdensome” because of the new birth (1 John 5:3–4). By: K. T. Sim

The Key

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29

In his classic book The Human Condition, Thomas Keating shares this memorable tale. A teacher, having lost the key to his home, is on his hands and knees searching through the grass. When his disciples see him searching, they join the hunt, but with no success. Finally, “one of the more intelligent disciples” asks, “Master, have you any idea where you might have lost the key?” Their teacher replies, “Of course. I lost it in the house.” When they exclaim, “Then why are we looking for it out here?” he answers, “Isn’t it obvious? There is more light here.”

We have lost the key to “intimacy with God, the experience of God’s loving presence,” Keating concludes. “Without that experience, nothing else quite works; with it, almost anything works.”  

How easy it is to forget that even in life’s ups and downs, God remains the key to our deepest longings. But when we’re ready to stop looking in all the wrong places, God is there, ready to show us true rest. In Matthew 11, Jesus praises the Father for revealing His ways, not to the “wise and learned,” but “to little children” (v. 25). Then He invites “all you who are weary and burdened” (v. 28) to come to Him for rest.

Like little children, we can find true rest as we learn the ways of our Teacher, who’s “gentle and humble in heart” (v. 29). God is there, eager to welcome us home. By:  Monica La Rose

Reflect & Pray

When are you tempted to look for satisfaction and joy in the wrong places? What helps you remember to find peace, rest, and satisfaction in God instead?

Loving God, how easily I’m drawn to seek satisfaction in whatever looks brightest. Help me turn to You to find true rest.

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

The Way to Knowledge

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine… —John 7:17

The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience. If a person wants scientific knowledge, then intellectual curiosity must be his guide. But if he desires knowledge and insight into the teachings of Jesus Christ, he can only obtain it through obedience. If spiritual things seem dark and hidden to me, then I can be sure that there is a point of disobedience somewhere in my life. Intellectual darkness is the result of ignorance, but spiritual darkness is the result of something that I do not intend to obey.

No one ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test regarding it. We disobey and then wonder why we are not growing spiritually. Jesus said, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). He is saying, in essence, “Don’t say another word to me; first be obedient by making things right.” The teachings of Jesus hit us where we live. We cannot stand as impostors before Him for even one second. He instructs us down to the very last detail. The Spirit of God uncovers our spirit of self-vindication and makes us sensitive to things that we have never even thought of before.

When Jesus drives something home to you through His Word, don’t try to evade it. If you do, you will become a religious impostor. Examine the things you tend simply to shrug your shoulders about, and where you have refused to be obedient, and you will know why you are not growing spiritually. As Jesus said, “First…go….” Even at the risk of being thought of as fanatical, you must obey what God tells you.

Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

There is nothing, naturally speaking, that makes us lose heart quicker than decay—the decay of bodily beauty, of natural life, of friendship, of associations, all these things make a man lose heart; but Paul says when we are trusting in Jesus Christ these things do not find us discouraged, light comes through them.  The Place of Help, 1032 L

Bible in a Year: Psalms 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

A Word with You, by Ron Hutchcraft
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
What's Missing In Our Worship - #9273

Some of the most exciting moments heard in the history of the U.S. space program were these: "3...2...1...Liftoff!" In the beginning, the Gemini and Apollo rockets, and then later the space shuttles. You could see the blazing fire lifting that rocket and its precious cargo off the pad and into the sky. Very impressive! But that wasn't all. You don't just say, "Great launch. Let's go home." No, no. All that fire and smoke isn't just to have a powerful experience. The purpose of it is to launch a mission, to make some things happen that would never otherwise happen without that launch.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I'd like to have A Word With You today about "What's Missing In Our Worship."

One exciting trend among God's people today is a growth of praise and worship. I mean, church services and conferences begin with extended times of praise and worship. These have often brought about deeper and more meaningful worship where we can feel the majesty, and the presence of our God in a very real way. I've experienced it many times. They are powerful times-like the fire and smoke of the space launch. But also like a launch, it's not the end; it's not all there is. Worship is supposed to launch us into some things that would never otherwise happen.

In our word for today from the Word of God in Isaiah 6, this prophet experiences an incredible launching of his life's work. And in his experience, I believe God shows us three transactions that He wants us to have with Him each new day. It all begins with worship, but it doesn't end there.

Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple." And he describes these mighty angelic beings who were "calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.' At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke."

So, the first transaction in a powerful life is to see the awesomeness of your God. You spend time with Him early in each new day until you are overwhelmed by this holy God of yours who's totally in control of billions of galaxies and everything in your life. This is worship where you get lost in your Lord until you can say with all your heart, "Lord, You are awesome!"

But praise and worship are incomplete unless they lead to the next transaction-to see the awfulness of your sin. Isaiah was possibly the most godly man in his nation, but here's what happens after He experiences the greatness of his God. He says, "Woe to me! I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King." See, with this confession, an angel comes with cleansing fire and says, "See, this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for."

So, true worship results in repentance. So you say, "Lord, you're awesome, but I'm a mess." When He points out the dark spot, you melt into repentance. And because He shed His blood to pay for that sin, Jesus comes, cleans you up for this new day and says, "Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for."

But Isaiah's vision leads us to one last transaction with God. "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" See, God takes His man or woman from worship, to repentance, to rescuing the dying. You see the awesomeness of your God, then the awfulness of your sin, and then the lostness of the people around you. "I have seen the King, but I'm surrounded by people who haven't. And I've got to tell them about Him." And looking at the people in your world, you say, "Lord, they are dying and I'm going to them."

That's the complete worship experience. You leave your comfort zone to reach those who have never seen your Lord as you have, because that's the mission that the launch of worship sends you on.