Day 23 1 Samuel 29- 2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 1

²³ Saul and Jonathan—beloved, beautiful! 
      Together in life, together in death. 
   Swifter than plummeting eagles, 
      stronger than proud lions. 
 ^24-25 Women of Israel, weep for Saul. 
      He dressed you in finest cottons and silks, 
      spared no expense in making you elegant. 
   The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen 
      in the middle of the fight! 
      Jonathan—struck down on your hills! 
 ²⁶ O my dear brother Jonathan, 
      I'm crushed by your death. 
   Your friendship was a miracle-wonder, 
      love far exceeding anything I've known— 
      or ever hope to know. 
 ²⁷ The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen. 
      And the arms of war broken to bits.

I've wondered why David was so affected by Samuel's death.  Samuel wanted David killed, had tried everything to kill him. And yet, David mourned deeply for him.  Jonathan, I can understand - they were like brothers... but Samuel?  

Whitney Houston died this weekend.  She was an American Icon.  Her life has been filled with accomplishments, but she clearly had much darkness in her.  People all over the world are mourning her right now, and many are ridiculing her and the choices she's made.

We don't know her, and yet we are all grieving the loss.  While she clearly had been fighting her own personal demons, she had done amazing things and brought joy to many.  And for that she will be missed.

So perhaps that is why David was able to mourn Samuel... while he did little good to David, he did great things for others.  And in his death, those things would cease.    

Day 22 1 Samuel 16-28

1 Samuel 17 ^41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
 ⁴³ The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
 ⁴⁴ "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
 ^45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
 ^48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
 ⁵⁰ That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!

David - a child in the eyes of all around him, defeated the greatest enemy that his people had ever seen. And he did it with a slingshot!  

I've heard many sermons about this particular passage of scripture.  There are Sunday School songs about David.  It's one of those stories that even non-Christians know about.

Like I said, I've probably heard dozens of sermons based David and Goliath.  Have heard explanation over his brother's behaviors, Saul's giving him armor, and how difficult it would be to hit someone dead-on with a stone and sling.  

But the one thing that I take away from it is how God used the tools that David knew how to use.  David didn't attempt to use the sword and armor; he used his sling.  He didn't have to learn something new, he just did what he could.

I think we all assume that we have to become something different than we are to do something good.  We don't have to learn something new to participate.  We all have gifts, we all have talents, and they all can be used of God.

I don't enjoy speaking in large groups - you probably won't see me giving any large presentations any time soon.  However, I like to write, and I don't care how many people read it.

I have a talent that can be used of God, and I'm very thankful for it.  Whatever your talents are, let them be seen, let them be used, and don't let anyone try to change you.

A personal prayer

I'm a wife.  I'm a mom.  I'm a business owner.  

I feel like I'm a bad wife because I don't get to see my husband that often.  He's either working, at school, or sleeping.  We haven't had a meal together in almost a week, and we haven't been able to play our nightly game of Phase 10 in almost 2... so much for that.

I fee like I'm a bad mom because I forgot to give my girls their notes for girl scouts so they could stay over.  I dropped them off after the kids were already at school - it's every week, why do I have to write a note every single week (I know why, I'm just venting).  

I feel like I'm a bad business owner because I'm not a good sales person, or an administrator.  I'm pretty good at doing the job, but closing the deal and getting the payment is tough for me...    

I just need things to be uneventful for a few days... it seems that every little thing is starting to build up, I can feel the crash coming...

I've had people actually tell me they were praying for me not to get a job that I'd interviewed for because they don't want us to move.  OK, so you'd rather I be stressed out and constantly on the go and working 70 hours a week,  just so I don't move?  (It's called Facebook, people, we can still talk to each other.)

I love my life, I just wish a few things would change a bit.  

Sometimes I wish I could go back and change the minor details that have changed our lives so dramatically... Sometimes I wish that I really did have someone in my corner, backing us up and supporting us, helping us through all the difficult decisions we've had to make.  

I've been praying for someone to take that step, to be the mentors that I need in family and in business.  I know people have seen me crying and praying at church.  I've had people tell me that I've been on their hearts.  But no one has actually offered me that guidance that I'm so desperate for.  I don't know who to ask.  

So I pray.  Lord, I ask you again: whoever it is that is meant to impact me, let them know I'm here and I'm ready.  

Day 21 1Samuel 3-15

1 Samuel 12  

 ^13-15 "So here's the king you wanted, the king you asked for. God has let you have your own way, given you a king. If you fear God, worship and obey him, and don't rebel against what he tells you. If both you and your king follow God, no problem. God will be sure to save you. But if you don't obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.

God created us to be led.  I believe His intention was for us to have leaders, mentors, guidance.  But not necessarily a "Ruler".  I believe that the role of the "Ruler" was what he had intended for himself.  


But His people asked.  And asked. And asked. And asked.  So He gave them one.   When we have God fearing leaders, and we are in tune to what God wants, then these leaders are doing what we want, in essence. Because we all want God's will, His plan to go forth.  


Does this always work - no.  Because of the fall, we don't all always look to Him. We look to us.  


This applies to everything - our homes, our churches, where we work, our government.


Look in you heart, Look to Him, and you will find the right paths to follow.  Join in communal prayer, and your community will discover the right leaders for you.

Day 20 Ruth 1 - 1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel 1The Message (MSG) 

^12-14 It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, "You're drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!"
 ^15-16 Hannah said, "Oh no, sir—please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long."
 ¹⁷ Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him."
²⁰ Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked God for him."

Sometimes I think we push aside the people who have been praying for the same things for year after year... We say, "maybe it's just not God's Plan", or "He's heard you, He knows, let it lie."  And there may or may not be benefit to this.  I don't really know.


God is a loving God, He knows our hearts.  He knows what is best for us, better than we know for ourselves.


So why doesn't He just give us what we want, when we ask pray about it?  The timing may not be right.  Other unknown factors may be conflicting with it.  Even if you want it, it's not for you.


But if we are fervent in our prayers, God may be working on all the other factors preventing it.  Including you.

Day 19 Judges 11-21

Judges 13:2-7 The Message (MSG) 

 ^2-5 At that time there was a man named Manoah from Zorah from the tribe of Dan. His wife was barren and childless. The angel of God appeared to her and told her, "I know that you are barren and childless, but you're going to become pregnant and bear a son. But take much care: Drink no wine or beer; eat nothing ritually unclean. You are, in fact, pregnant right now, carrying a son. No razor will touch his head—the boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of his birth. He will launch the deliverance from Philistine oppression."
 ^6-7 The woman went to her husband and said, "A man of God came to me. He looked like the angel of God—terror laced with glory! I didn't ask him where he was from and he didn't tell me his name, but he told me, 'You're pregnant. You're going to give birth to a son. Don't drink any wine or beer and eat nothing ritually unclean. The boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of birth to the day of his death.'"

Most people know the story of Samson. His gift was given because of a promise by his parents to the Angle of the Lord.  They up agreed and upheld the promise they made, and raised him to follow the promise.

But he grew to be arrogant of his blessing, and threw it away by tempting Delilah and telling her his secret.  In stead of adhering to God's plan, he created his own.  And he ended up captured, blinded, and in prison.

I think we all need to take heed to the promises that are set out before us.  We've probably not had an audible conversation like Samson's parents did.  I remember, in a time of turmoil, crying out in pain and agony.  And I honestly thought I heard someone say to me, 'It's all going to work out, trust me'.  I looked up, looking for my husband.  But he wasn't there.  I found him in the basement watching TV.  And you know what, soon after that night, things began to improve.

There have been rules and guidelines that have been set out before us, and it is up to us to follow them.  He has a plan for us, as long as we look to Him, and follow the path set forth.  

Day 18 Judges 1-10

Judges 10:15-16The People of Israel said to God: "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!" Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only God. And God took Israel's troubles to heart.

 Even though generations of Israelites turned away from God, He still loved them.  And knew that they would walk away from Him, and that the would return to Him.  


As our Father, He does not coddle us and give us everything that we ask for.  Sometimes we have to learn our lessons.  


As a parent, it's the hardest part.  Not that my kids are bad, but we've all had bad days.  And there are consequences to bad behaviors.  My 5 year old daughter has a bit of a temper, and has a fit once a week.  It's become less frequent because she's finally learning that she gets things taken away when she acts up.  But when she adjusts her attitude, and performs a few kind acts, we give them back.


So as I do with my kids, God does with us.  But when we submit to Him, ask for forgiveness and follow His guidance, He will always take care of us.

Day 17 Joshua 13-24

Joshua 18:3 

So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?

At this point, the inheritances were being divided amongst the nations.  However, the sons of Israel instead of going forth and collecting their lands.

I think this is something we all do - we have an 'inheritance' from The Lord.  The question is not if we have one, but if we will go and collect it.

I don't know if we all see what He has planned from us at early ages.  I don't think I know what I am intended for, other than to be a good wife and mother.  And perhaps He has other things in store for me.  I don't know yet.

But He does have a plan, and victories for us.  But we all have our battles to fight.  The tribes we sent out by Joshua to their inherited lands, but these were not with out trials.

We all have our own battles to fight - we they make us stronger, put in in the right place for our blessings. Prepares us for His ultimate plan for us. 

Day 16 Joshua 1-12

Joshua 4:23-24 

"Yes, God, your God, dried up the Jordan's waters for you until you had crossed, just as God, your God, did at the Red Sea, which had dried up before us until we had crossed. This was so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong God's rescuing hand is and so that you would hold God in solemn reverence always."

Regardless of the trials in your path, don't forget about the triumphs of your past.

I think that is the hardest thing to realize when we are going through the turbulence of life.  I've heard it said many times "Don't focus on the fact that you've fallen flat on your face 9 times. Focus on the fact that you've gotten up 10!"  Sometimes we need reminders that He took us through things.  Even if we still don't see where the victory was.

He loves you, and will be there to guide you through the trials in your life.  It won't always be easy, but it will make your stronger.

Day 15 Deuteronomy 23-34

Deuteronomy 28

 ^1-6 If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God: 

   God's blessing inside the city, 
   God's blessing in the country; 
   God's blessing on your children, 
      the crops of your land, 
      the young of your livestock, 
      the calves of your herds, 
      the lambs of your flocks. 
   God's blessing on your basket and bread bowl; 
   God's blessing in your coming in, 
   God's blessing in your going out.

***

There are many rules laid forth in the book of Deuteronomy that just are not being applied today.  We changed the rules because we didn't like them.  We put our own will above HIS.  


When we take time and truly look into our behaviors - are we doing what we should?  The Bible has strict rules against adultery, murder, theft, lies, etc.  And yet, many of the people who commit such acts often go without punishment by their peers.  


All I can say is that my GOD is a loving and forgiving GOD.  He has put in place a chance for us to receive His love and forgiveness.  However, while we say we love and believe in Him, our actions should reflect that as well.  It's in the Bible, it's in His teachings.  He wants everyone to walk away from the sin they commit, daily ask for forgiveness, and draw closer to Him.  When we do this, we find His blessings for us.