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.

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.