David God's Servant

1I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

through all generations.

2I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant,

4‘I will establish your line forever

and make your throne firm through all generations (Psalm 89)

 the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Thoughts: Many times in scripture David is described as "David my servant."  David was the Lord's servant when he was a shepherd boy, a musician, a general, and a king.  David was asking, "What would God want?"  So he sought to build a Temple but God would not let him.  David is also described as "a man after God's own heart." (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).
     David was a sinner.  But the difference between Saul and David is that Saul did not turn back to God in repentance (he was always making up excuses and rationalizations).  David could write the beautiful Psalm 51- a Psalm of repentance.  Even when David failed, he pursued God- and did not give up.  David is a witness as a servant of God who sought the heart of God and will of God.  We can learn from him. 

Prayer: Lord, may my heart be as your heart.  May I seek your will and not fail.    

David's Witness Against Goliath

45David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day theLord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”  (1 Samuel 17)

Thoughts: This passage of David's confronting the giant Goliath in battle was doubtless memorized by many in Israel.  There are many themes here that are found over and over again.  For example- "It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves."  Or "the battle it the Lord's."  
     David had a secret weapon- and it was God.  Goliath only had a sword, spear, and javelin.  He had all the right weapons- the height and the strength.  David did not have enough strength or power on his own.  He was in a vulnerable position and his only resource was God.  David found bravery, courage, and boldness in God.  More than that, God actually helped him to overcome a giant.  He still helps us to have courage and to overcome the mountains and gians that we face.  

Prayer: Lord, let me not forget your power that helps me overcome the giants against me.   

Samuel's Witness of Prayer

19The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” (1 Samuel 12:19-25) 

Thoughts: Samuel was well respected among the people.  His sons were not.  The time of the judges and the hope of theocracy was over.  The judges and the people had God as their king in name only.  The truth is everyone did what was right in their own eyes (17:6; 21:25).  The choosing of a king was the rejection of the kingship of God.  Samuel, however, was encouraging them to not give up their faith even if they were giving up the idea of a theocracy.
    One of the great things about Samuel was his love and prayers for his people.  Verse 23 is a great witness to all of us to intercede for others.  He believes it would be a sin for him not to pray for them.  Praying for one another is important.  It helps us to remember each other, and helps us to remember that the Lord is important for all of us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember to pray for others.  I lift up to you those who are dear to me. 

Samuel's Boy Witness

8A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

11And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God,^a and he failed to restrain them. 14Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’ ” (1 Samuel 3)

Thoughts: Hannah prayed for a son.  Eli, the high priest, falsely accused her of drinking too much wine because of her sad state.  The Lord was calling Samuel.  Ironically, Eli helped Samuel listen to the Lord-  but the words were doom for Eli and his godless and undisciplined family.  Samuel had to learn to listen.  Humility and listening are the very first steps in pursuing God.  "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" are good words for all of us to say.  We may say it as we read scripture, for the Holy Spirit is still at work today. 

Prayer: Speak Lord, for I am your servant and I am listening today. 

Eli and Samuel

The Honor and Prayer of Jabez

9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,^c saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Thoughts: The name Jabez means "pain."  This is not only an unpleasant name, but it appears Jabez was fighting against his name throughout his life.  Jabez struggled to be a blessing and find a blessing (rather than finding pain).   His prayer is a good one for anyone to pray.  It is a prayer looking to God on a regular basis for help, for protection and strength.  The enlargement of territory is simply a prayer that God would bless him in whatever he does.  We can learn from Jabez's seeking to be honorable- and seeking the blessing of God.  It is not immoral to ask God to bless you.  Nor is it somehow not God's business to care about us and bless us.  In fact, every blessing we have is not from our own hand, but from God. 

Prayer: Bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, Lord.  May your hand be with me.  Keep me from evil that I may cause no pain.

The Witness of Boaz

10“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.12Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. (Ruth 3) 

Thoughts: Boaz was the grandson of Rahab the Harlot.  He knew about second chances, grace, and reaching beyond the people of Israel to those who have faith.  Boaz was a great manager but also a keen observer of character.  Boaz saw and cared for Ruth.  He showed her kindness and grace.  His grace worked hand in hand with his wanting to do things right and in a way that pleased God.
     Would that we should extend grace to those who believe and seek to follow God's way with all their heart.  

Prayer: Lord, as you are kind to me, let me be kind and considerate of others.  

The Witness of Ruth

16But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me. (Ruth 1:16-17) 

Thoughts: Ruth was faithful to her mother-in-law even though she had no hopes of getting any help from her.  Ruth was determined to follow God, and not give up through any cultural pressure or a desire to do what is easy.  Her faithfulness to Naomi, her mother-in-law, paid off in that Boaz married her.  She became the great grandmother of David.
    In our faithless age- where we value self and getting things for ourselves more than helping others- Ruth witnesses to us.  In a faithless age, faithfulness stands out and makes us want to do better.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful to you and never leave you nor forsake you.  Help me to be a loyal person to those around me.