Text
“But the next morning the same thing happened – Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact” (1 Samuel 5:4, NLT).
Insight
Does anyone find this scene humorous? How surprised were the Philistines to find Dagon face down before the Ark of God… And then face down again the next day with his head and arms broken off lying in the doorway? Don’t tell me God doesn’t have a since of humor.
But what is the truth behind the humorous scene? What can we glean from the face down position of Dagon before the Ark of God?
Hannah had it right when she prayed, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God… those who oppose the Lord will be shattered” (1 Samuel 2:2, 10). The Psalmist got it right saying, “Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you” (Ps 86:8,9). Moses understood it praying, “O Sovereign Lord… what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do” (Deut 3:24). And Paul wrote about it declaring, “…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10,11).
Prostrate and broken are good postures before the Lord. “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Ps 95:3,6,7).
Prayer Father, forgive me for the times I have sought glory for myself. I humble myself before You today. You are the great God and King. I submit my desires, agenda and dreams before You. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Carry It Into Battle, 4:3
Text
“Then they said, ‘Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies’” (1 Samuel 4:3, NLT).
Insight
Every man has a battle. That place where he is attacked. At times he wins and at times he is defeated. The stakes are high. Like Israel’s battle with the Philistines, the fight is for freedom. The loser is enslaved. So, “Stand up like men and fight” (1 Samuel 4:9, NLT).
In battle, men need power. We need the strength to resist sin and the temptations that want to so easily entangle us. We need wisdom and the ability to discern Truth from lies. We need the inner might to chose right from wrong. Overcoming the lusts, cravings and desires of our flesh takes Divine power. What battle are you facing and are you empowered to fight and win?
The fatal error the Israelites made in their battle was seeking from the Ark of God that which only fellowship with God could bring. They believed the Ark could “save us from our enemies” (4:3). Arks don’t save, God does. So, they were defeated because they carried into battle a form of God or godliness rather than the strength that comes from fellowship and following after God Himself.
2 Timothy 3:5 tells us that in the last days people “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” In other words, they have a form of godliness but fail to walk in the power of God. These forms fail men in battle. They are of no value against the flesh (Col 2:23).
We need God’s power. It comes from fellowship with Him. As we follow Him, we walk in strength to deny ourselves and take up our cross. In Him is strength for our inner man to walk in the Spirit and be led by Him. What will you carry into battle?
Prayer
Father, You know the battle(s) I face. I need Your strength to fight and win. As I draw near to You, draw near to me and fill me with Your power. I will follow you and listen to Your voice. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Then they said, ‘Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies’” (1 Samuel 4:3, NLT).
Insight
Every man has a battle. That place where he is attacked. At times he wins and at times he is defeated. The stakes are high. Like Israel’s battle with the Philistines, the fight is for freedom. The loser is enslaved. So, “Stand up like men and fight” (1 Samuel 4:9, NLT).
In battle, men need power. We need the strength to resist sin and the temptations that want to so easily entangle us. We need wisdom and the ability to discern Truth from lies. We need the inner might to chose right from wrong. Overcoming the lusts, cravings and desires of our flesh takes Divine power. What battle are you facing and are you empowered to fight and win?
The fatal error the Israelites made in their battle was seeking from the Ark of God that which only fellowship with God could bring. They believed the Ark could “save us from our enemies” (4:3). Arks don’t save, God does. So, they were defeated because they carried into battle a form of God or godliness rather than the strength that comes from fellowship and following after God Himself.
2 Timothy 3:5 tells us that in the last days people “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” In other words, they have a form of godliness but fail to walk in the power of God. These forms fail men in battle. They are of no value against the flesh (Col 2:23).
We need God’s power. It comes from fellowship with Him. As we follow Him, we walk in strength to deny ourselves and take up our cross. In Him is strength for our inner man to walk in the Spirit and be led by Him. What will you carry into battle?
Prayer
Father, You know the battle(s) I face. I need Your strength to fight and win. As I draw near to You, draw near to me and fill me with Your power. I will follow you and listen to Your voice. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Serve the Lord, 1 Samuel 3:1
Text
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli.” (1 Samuel 3:1, NLT).
Insight
Christian lingo can be a funny thing. The words and phrases we use can lose their meaning over time. They can sound profound, significant and important, but what do they really mean?
One such phrase is: “Serve the Lord.” Since I was in Sunday School as a boy, I have known on one level or another I needed to “Serve the Lord.” Haven’t you??? I don’t know about you, but this phrase elicits pictures of people like: Billy Graham, Mother Theresa or a guy in a priestly collared black shirt. Unfortunately, the phrase has lacked clarity and I dismiss it because I don’t see myself like that…
That said, 1 Samuel 3:1 says, “The boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli” (NLT). The NIV translates it, “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.” This puts a whole new twist on serving and ministering to the Lord. This verse gives me a much different image and connects serving the Lord and serving someone else. Therefore, I must begin asking: Who has the Lord put me under? How can I serve that person? How does assisting them actually minister to God?
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) gives me a concrete example of serving the Lord. At the heart of serving the Lord is considering “others as better than” myself and the need to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). Also, Matthew 25:31- 46 tells me, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” These passages help me practically serve the Lord. Are you serving the Lord? Or are you serving yourself?
Prayer
Father, help me to grasp the reality that serving others is serving You. Redefine ministry and servant-hood in my life. Reveal those in need who I can assist. Help me to honor those over me. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli.” (1 Samuel 3:1, NLT).
Insight
Christian lingo can be a funny thing. The words and phrases we use can lose their meaning over time. They can sound profound, significant and important, but what do they really mean?
One such phrase is: “Serve the Lord.” Since I was in Sunday School as a boy, I have known on one level or another I needed to “Serve the Lord.” Haven’t you??? I don’t know about you, but this phrase elicits pictures of people like: Billy Graham, Mother Theresa or a guy in a priestly collared black shirt. Unfortunately, the phrase has lacked clarity and I dismiss it because I don’t see myself like that…
That said, 1 Samuel 3:1 says, “The boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli” (NLT). The NIV translates it, “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.” This puts a whole new twist on serving and ministering to the Lord. This verse gives me a much different image and connects serving the Lord and serving someone else. Therefore, I must begin asking: Who has the Lord put me under? How can I serve that person? How does assisting them actually minister to God?
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) gives me a concrete example of serving the Lord. At the heart of serving the Lord is considering “others as better than” myself and the need to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). Also, Matthew 25:31- 46 tells me, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” These passages help me practically serve the Lord. Are you serving the Lord? Or are you serving yourself?
Prayer
Father, help me to grasp the reality that serving others is serving You. Redefine ministry and servant-hood in my life. Reveal those in need who I can assist. Help me to honor those over me. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Messages and Visions
Text
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very uncommon and visions were quite uncommon.” (1 Samuel 3:1, NLT).
Insight
Messages and visions from the Lord were uncommon. WHY? One reason could be that the Lord simply didn’t share them. If He doesn’t send them, we will not get them. But another reason messages and visions were might have been uncommon is because people simply didn’t discern them. So maybe God was speaking and He simply was not heard.
If God spoke and if anyone should have heard… it would have been Eli, the high priest. However, when God did speak (3:3 – 9) it took Eli three times before he realized God was talking. Not to be too hard on Eli, but could he and his son’s disrespect of God, dishonor of the office and contemptuous dealings have lead to a spiritual deftness and blindness? And could his example have spread in epidemic proportions throughout the land?
On the other hand, I find it interesting that Samuel was described as one who “served the Lord” (3:1). Perhaps young Samuel was yet unstained by the self-centered world-view of those around him. Maybe God had found a man who could hear and see. Did Samuel position himself to hear from God? And chapter 3 ends saying, “The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle” (3:21).
The Tabernacle is the dwelling place of God and Paul tells us we are the Tabernacle (temple) of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6). God speaks and will reveal Himself to you. So, let’s purify ourselves from worldly selfishness and embrace a lifestyle of service before God. Let’s posture ourselves to hear and see. Let us pray, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” (3:10).
Prayer
Father, speak to me. Reveal Yourself to me. Purify me from selfish pollutants which make me deft and blind to You. Dwell in me by Your Spirit so I may see and hear. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very uncommon and visions were quite uncommon.” (1 Samuel 3:1, NLT).
Insight
Messages and visions from the Lord were uncommon. WHY? One reason could be that the Lord simply didn’t share them. If He doesn’t send them, we will not get them. But another reason messages and visions were might have been uncommon is because people simply didn’t discern them. So maybe God was speaking and He simply was not heard.
If God spoke and if anyone should have heard… it would have been Eli, the high priest. However, when God did speak (3:3 – 9) it took Eli three times before he realized God was talking. Not to be too hard on Eli, but could he and his son’s disrespect of God, dishonor of the office and contemptuous dealings have lead to a spiritual deftness and blindness? And could his example have spread in epidemic proportions throughout the land?
On the other hand, I find it interesting that Samuel was described as one who “served the Lord” (3:1). Perhaps young Samuel was yet unstained by the self-centered world-view of those around him. Maybe God had found a man who could hear and see. Did Samuel position himself to hear from God? And chapter 3 ends saying, “The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle” (3:21).
The Tabernacle is the dwelling place of God and Paul tells us we are the Tabernacle (temple) of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6). God speaks and will reveal Himself to you. So, let’s purify ourselves from worldly selfishness and embrace a lifestyle of service before God. Let’s posture ourselves to hear and see. Let us pray, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” (3:10).
Prayer
Father, speak to me. Reveal Yourself to me. Purify me from selfish pollutants which make me deft and blind to You. Dwell in me by Your Spirit so I may see and hear. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Raised UP
Text
“Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I desire. I will establish his family and they will be priests to my anointed kings forever” (1 Samuel 2:35, NLT).
Insight
God promotes faithfulness. He raises up those who serve Him. He recognizes and blesses those who do what He desires. The scripture says that Samuel “served the Lord” (2:18). He “grew up in the presence of the Lord” (2:21). Samuel grew physically and “in favor with the Lord and with the people” (2:26). Are you faithful? Are you a servant of His desires?
On the other hand, God judges unfaithfulness. Eli and his sons “had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests” (2:12). “They treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt” (2:19). Eli was accused by God of honoring his sons above the Lord (2:29). These sins were very serious in the Lord’s sight.
God judges unfaithfulness yet promotes the faithful. Faithfulness can be defined as doing what is on the heart and mind of the Lord… and being a good manager of the opportunities and resources entrusted to you. Jesus told a story about faithfulness recorded in Luke 19. Summing up the point of the story He said, “to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away” (Luke 19:26).
Therefore, be faithful. Serve the Lord. He will raise you up. He will promote you and give you even more. What opportunities will you find today? How can you position yourself for promotion through faithfulness?
Prayer
Father, find me faithful. Reveal Your heart’s desires. I will serve You. Today, I will honor You and seek Your favor, presence and promotion. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I desire. I will establish his family and they will be priests to my anointed kings forever” (1 Samuel 2:35, NLT).
Insight
God promotes faithfulness. He raises up those who serve Him. He recognizes and blesses those who do what He desires. The scripture says that Samuel “served the Lord” (2:18). He “grew up in the presence of the Lord” (2:21). Samuel grew physically and “in favor with the Lord and with the people” (2:26). Are you faithful? Are you a servant of His desires?
On the other hand, God judges unfaithfulness. Eli and his sons “had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests” (2:12). “They treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt” (2:19). Eli was accused by God of honoring his sons above the Lord (2:29). These sins were very serious in the Lord’s sight.
God judges unfaithfulness yet promotes the faithful. Faithfulness can be defined as doing what is on the heart and mind of the Lord… and being a good manager of the opportunities and resources entrusted to you. Jesus told a story about faithfulness recorded in Luke 19. Summing up the point of the story He said, “to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away” (Luke 19:26).
Therefore, be faithful. Serve the Lord. He will raise you up. He will promote you and give you even more. What opportunities will you find today? How can you position yourself for promotion through faithfulness?
Prayer
Father, find me faithful. Reveal Your heart’s desires. I will serve You. Today, I will honor You and seek Your favor, presence and promotion. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Royal Priest
Text
“’In that case,’ Eli said, ‘go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him’” (1 Samuel 1:17, NLT).
Insight
Priests have two main roles. First, is to represent the people before God (prayer/intercession). Second, is to represent God before the people.
Eli the priest came upon Hannah. She “was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” (1:10, NLT). She had been taunted, made fun of and wept on many occasions over a certain issue in her life. Perhaps you know a Hannah. A person who is carrying a burden, fear or has a need… Has your path crossed with hers?
As Eli realized her situation he responded, “In that case, go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you asked of Him” (1:17). As a priest he represented the Lord to Hannah. Eli spoke a blessing over Hannah. He ministered peace to her troubled heart. He pointed her to God who answers prayers. Eli was a priest who took advantage of the moment to minister the heart and will of God to her.
Peter reminds us that we are royal priests designed to “show others the goodness of God” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT). We are called to represent. We are anointed to minister, bless and speak forth the heart and mind of God to the hurting. Declare His peace saying, “Go in peace!” Declare Him and His goodness praying, “May God grant your request.” We can do this because He makes the weak strong, answers the confused, gives joy to the downcast and brings rejoicing out of sorrow. “No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God” (2:2).
Prayer
Father, as a priest and Your very own possession, I will show others Your goodness today. Cross my path with the hurting so I can minister your peace and love. Give me boldness to speak and declare your heart and mind over each person. In Jesus name, AMEN.
“’In that case,’ Eli said, ‘go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him’” (1 Samuel 1:17, NLT).
Insight
Priests have two main roles. First, is to represent the people before God (prayer/intercession). Second, is to represent God before the people.
Eli the priest came upon Hannah. She “was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” (1:10, NLT). She had been taunted, made fun of and wept on many occasions over a certain issue in her life. Perhaps you know a Hannah. A person who is carrying a burden, fear or has a need… Has your path crossed with hers?
As Eli realized her situation he responded, “In that case, go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you asked of Him” (1:17). As a priest he represented the Lord to Hannah. Eli spoke a blessing over Hannah. He ministered peace to her troubled heart. He pointed her to God who answers prayers. Eli was a priest who took advantage of the moment to minister the heart and will of God to her.
Peter reminds us that we are royal priests designed to “show others the goodness of God” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT). We are called to represent. We are anointed to minister, bless and speak forth the heart and mind of God to the hurting. Declare His peace saying, “Go in peace!” Declare Him and His goodness praying, “May God grant your request.” We can do this because He makes the weak strong, answers the confused, gives joy to the downcast and brings rejoicing out of sorrow. “No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God” (2:2).
Prayer
Father, as a priest and Your very own possession, I will show others Your goodness today. Cross my path with the hurting so I can minister your peace and love. Give me boldness to speak and declare your heart and mind over each person. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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